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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 


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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 





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Tk Battle of 
Corny Island; 


Free Trade Overthrown. 



0 


THE 


Battle of Coney Island; 

OR, 

dfyrtt <Ot crtUron*H. 


A SCRAP OF HISTORY WRITTEN IN 1900. 


BY 



PHILADELPHIA: 

/. A. WAGENSELLER, PUBLISHER , 
23 North Sixth Street. 

1883. 


TZ 5 
.£><773 


Entered according to Act of Congress , in the year 1883, 

By J. A. Wagenseller, Publisher, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress , at Washington , D. C. 


DEDICATION. 


The writer of this Imaginary History respectfully 

DEDICATES 

IT TO 

CAPITAL AND LABOR , 

TWIN BBOTHEBS , 

Who are the source of political power, and who, when working 
together harmoniously, can shape the legislation and destiny 
of the Great Republic : with the earnest hope that they 
will give such attention to the facts herein recited, 
that the imagination indulged in may never be- 
come reality, and yet with the persuasion 
that, unless American citizens take in- 
creased interest in political affairs, 
these freaks of fancy may 
become records of 
history. 












































~ , 

. 





' 

■ 









































'V 










THE 


BATTLE OF CONEY ISLAND; 

OR, 

FREE TRADE OVERTHROWN. 


CHAPTER I. 

This History of the United States would be imperfect 
did we fail to record the calamities which overtook the 
Nation in the first quarter of its second century. Let 
him who would not read of the sudden overthrow of the 
business of the country when in the meridian of its pros- 
perity, by unwise Congressional enactments ; nor be re- 
minded of the days, bitter to every patriot heart, when,, 
as the result of similar legislation, coupled with indiffer- 
ence to the provisions of the Constitution, the venerated 
standard of the Nation was trailed in the dust beneath 
the feet of a foreign foe, pass over these chapters. 

If he would, however, learn from history, and be con- 
vinced that the pure Democracy of the Fathers is the 


6 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


consummation of wisdom; that a Government estab- 
lished by the people, of the people, and for the people, 
must eventuate in the highest development of civil and 
religious liberty, and be equal to any and every emer- 
gency that could possibly arise, let him suppress his 
blushes of shame and read these pages, and be profited 
thereby. He will find that the form of Government was 
not imperfect; but its improper administration, made 
possible only by the apathy of the people to political 
affairs during their struggles to acquire wealth, led to a 
fulsome pride and fatal lethargy, which ended in humil- 
iation and disaster. 

The policy of the founders of the American Union had 
been to encourage the development of the mineral re- 
sources of the country, and of ship-building, as well as 
the erection of manufacturing establishments, surrounded 
by an agricultural region, which, with coastwise, oceanic 
and internal commerce, could not fail to be mutually 
beneficial. This was subversive of the British policy, 
which a few Americans of small calibre advocated, and 
which would allow foreigners to carry our cotton and 
fuel and ores and lumber to England, and return to us, 
with the profits of manufacture and transport added 
thereto, the cloth and metal and manufactured articles, all 
in British ships; and thus reduce this country, as the 
same policy reduced Ireland, to a vast agricultural region 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


7 


depending upon the crops, and bordering on starvation 
whenever they failed. 

No less an authority than a former President, Andrew 
Jackson, had advised his countrymen, in words of gold, 
thus: “Build your factories and workshops close to your 
plantations and farms, and you will confer inestimable 
blessings on the whole American people.” So far as it 
lay in their power, the people, by electing to Congress 
men who favored Protection to home industry, had, for 
more than two decades previous to the events recorded 
in this history, succeeded in obtaining from the Govern- 
ment a duty on the minerals which filled our hillsides in 
many States, and on manufactured articles and materials 
which could readily be produced in the country, suffi- 
cient to equalize the difference in the cost of labor be- 
tween America and foreign countries. Being not “a 
tariff for revenue ” only, but a moderate one, it developed 
a diversity of occupations for American artizans at high 
wages ; besides, it produced a handsome surplus, above 
all Governmental requirements, with which to reduce the 
indebtedness incurred in the recent Mormon and whiskey 
revolt, just as the same American policy had cancelled a 
former enormous National debt. 

The working people of America received two, three, 
and in some cases four times the wages paid in foreign 
countries for the same work, and the result showed itself 


8 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


in millions of intelligent and skillful men and women, 
better educated, boused, clothed and fed than any in 
the world ; their employment being adapted to their capa- 
bilities, and who are the strength and backbone of the 
Nation, the glory of the Great Republic. 

In strong contrast to this was the condition of the 
working classes of Europe, who just received enough 
pay to exist, with no chance of promotion or improve- 
ment; a few weeks of sickness or enforced idleness 
placing them upon the paupers’ roll. The foreign 
policy tended to exalt the ruling classes by depressing 
labor, while the American policy was and is to elevate 
the working men by liberal wages and by the ballot, and 
thus develop their manliness and self respect. Daniel 
Webster said that at the formation of the Federal Con- 
stitution the leading motive was to levy a duty on 
imports for the protection of American labor and 
industry. 

It was when the working people were thoroughly 
imbued with the principle of Protection, and after its 
practical results had exalted them to a plane never before 
attained by artizans in any age or country, that an un- 
fortunate train of events led to the election of a Congress 
who passed a tariff bill which overthrew the business 
interests of the Nation and the happiness of the people, 
and swept away the accumulations of years ; besides hu- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


9 


miliating the Government and nearly bankrupting the 
National Treasury. 

The people were prosperous, trade in all departments 
was profitable, wages were liberal, wealth was increasing 
and capital often spent it in munificent public benefac- 
tions, and rapid progress was being made in all depart- 
ments of knowledge. These conditions were not favor- 
able to the cultivation of that vigilance which is the price 
of liberty. The supineness of the masses to politics was 
marked, and a Statesman was not far astray in asserting 
that a the beer shops and liquor saloons ruled the coun- 
try;” because it was there where the pot-house politicians 
fixed up the nominations for Congressmen and other 
important offices, the citizens generally taking but little 
interest in the primary elections. 

The party in power (after a magnificent record, which 
any political organization might envy) having been 
largely increased in numbers by office seekers from the 
lower strata in society, became demoralized ; and incom- 
petency, ignorance, fraud, peculation, defalcation, among 
Government officials, were matters of frequent occur- 
rence. Efforts to correct this evil, to purify the ballot 
and improve the civil service were opposed by bolder 
demonstrations, inspired by the vanity and ambition of 
certain party leaders, and open revolt naturally followed. 

Finally, the Head of the Nation, a man who towered 


10 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


above the average, and who was venerated by the people 
for his purity and uprightness, while quietly advocating 
reforms in Government Departments, was smitten down 
by an assassin, who avowed that his object was to destroy 
all such opposition. Many supporters of the new Admin- 
istration, to the sorrow and disappointment of millions, 
seemed to work in opposition to the principles and coun- 
sels of the fallen Chieftain. This caused a murmur of 
dissent from every township in the land to increase until 
it roared like thunder, and at the elections soon follow- 
ing, the ballots of the citizens of the Republic flew like 
hail in a direction opposite to that of the murderer’s 
bullet. A quiet revolution was effected, irrespective of 
political preferences, and the dominant party was tempo- 
rarily overthrown ; but unfortunately for the interests of 
the people, a number of the Congressmen and Legislators 
elected, while sound enough upon the Reform question, 
were lifelong advocates of the insidious chimera of Free 
Trade, and openly advocated that policy as the one to 
relieve the Country from the ‘"oppression” of the so-called 
“ grasping manufacturers, monopolizing corporations, 
pampered bankers and bloated bondholders.” 

In face of solemn protests and weighty arguments, 
Congress passed a Bill materially reducing the duty on 
imports — a reduction much more than the difference in 
the rates of wages paid in the Old World and the Rew; 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 11 

so that capita] and labor both suffered, and immediately. 
In vain were the words of Henry Clay quoted, that the 
seven years of Free Trade prior to 1821 were years of the 
greatest depression, while the seven years following the 
Protective Tariff of 1824 was a season of prosperity. 
Futile were the efforts to show from the public speeches 
of the Fathers of the Republic — Washington, Jefferson, 
Franklin, Calhoun, and other illustrious names — that 
they all favored Protection to our home industries and 
labor ; and useless seemed it to repeat the views of other 
minds, that Free Trade invariably involved individual 
struggle and hardship ; weakness in war, poverty in peace. 

English history was appealed to, showing how Parlia- 
ment had protected their rising industries. To help the 
woolen trade, a law was actually passed that all the dead 
should be buried in woolens ! Foreign goods were ex- 
cluded, and cost of product reduced by enforcing arbitrary 
laws against labor : forbidding the organization of Trade 
Unions prior to 1824 ; and for hundreds of years pre- 
viously, laws were enforced entirely in the interests of 
employers to keep down wages. Any subsequent improve- 
ment in British labor can be traced to American influence. 

To-day American whiskey and tobacco are heavily taxed 
by Britain, whose policy seems to be whatever best pro 
motes the selfish interests of the princely manufacturers, 
and gives them control of the world’s business. 


12 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


CHAPTER II. 

Congress passed this Bill, in spite of the most glaring 
figures and facts, it being clearly proved that Protection 
had made our Country, had built our railroads, greatly 
reducing the cost of construction and transportation, had 
established steamship lines, endowed colleges, schools and 
churches, started manufactures, and had developed our 
iron, coal, copper and other mines, built up our cities, 
lined our seacoasts with light houses, beautified our 
towns with magnificent Public buildings, cancelled our 
enormous National debt. Under Protection’s benign 
influences, the population had increased to sixty mil- 
lions, immigrants flocked to our shores at the rate of a 
million a year, and unheard-of crops of cotton and grain 
were harvested, giving us cheap bread, and enabling us 
to export largely more than we imported, causing gold 
to flow into the country. Congress, moreover, ignored 
the undeniable truth, that Protection to home industry 
invariably reduces the cost and improves the quality of 
any article, by superior machinery and workmanship and 
competition, while maintaining the dignity of labor ; but 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


13 


these would-be Congressional Statesmen hungered and 
thirsted for goods of foreign make, and received their 
surfeit of them before the year rolled around. 

They blundered on the tariff question, just as they had 
previously blundered on the shipping question, and as 
their policy of enforcing unjust laws against American 
shipping and withholding protection and encouragement 
from it had driven American steamers and ships engaged 
in the foreign trade from the ocean, so their mistake of 
reducing the tariff promised to destroy our manufactures, 
our coasting and inland trade, and cripple our agricul- 
ture. So argued and urged the wisest men in the coun- 
try; but their wisdom and experience were taken for 
naught. Ephraim seemed joined to his idols. 

British manufacturers sent to this country their agents, 
their samples, their pamphlets and their gold, to help 
forward, by questionable means, the Free Trade move- 
ment, and assist in the overthrow of the supremacy 
and prosperity of American labor and capital, and nar- 
row-minded and ignorant Congressmen, of all parties, 
theorists who were destitute of practical knowledge of 
business, cried, amen ! In both Houses of Congress a 
majority was secured, and the Bill became the law of 
the land, but never the will of the sovereign people who 
nominate and elect Congressmen , and practically rule the 
Nation . 


14 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


In that age of electricity and steam, business was sen- 
sitive, and fluctuations were rapid and frequent ; changes 
in price being anticipated. The owners of the over- 
stocked warehouses and iron yards of Britain at once 
prepared to pour their contents upon our shores, at 
prices below the current cost in America based upon 
American wages ; hence business was at once prostrated, 
and, except to finish orders already accepted, the mills 
of the United States prepared to suspend operations until 
matters could be adjusted upon a different footing, or, 
more plainly, until wages could be correspondingly re- 
duced. That change might require years to effect, but a 
continuance of production, under existing circumstances, 
with no market for products, was certain to end in ruin, 
especially with men of moderate resources. 

One year of Free Trade in the United States for capital ! 
What a plunge from affluence to poverty, from financial 
strength to bankruptcy, from liberal benevolence to rigid 
economy, from comfort to misery. One year of idleness 
for America’s toiling millions, after their season of pros- 
perity and happiness, of enterprise and manly indepen- 
dence ! Who can count the cost, who appreciate, or even 
enumerate the sufferings, struggles, sorrow, privation, 
despair, death of that eventful period ; the saddest year 
ever witnessed in the Union ! But we can only record 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 


15 


the experiences of the time for the benefit of their more 
fortunate successors. 

We have stated that the reductions in the duty on im- 
ports were radical and severe ; reducing the cost of the 
imported goods, temporarily, below the cost of home 
productions. The smaller manufacturers were not in 
financial condition to stop entirely, and tried to weather 
the tempest until the day of deliverance arrived, hut in 
a few months they succumbed ; and the Sheriff, to satis- 
fy pressing creditors, sold the mills and contents, scatter- 
ing the working people, and throwing them upon the 
charities of a selfish world. The same scenes were being 
enacted in every part of the country and with all branch- 
es of business, because they were mutually dependent, 
and a blow at one branch, injured all the others. 

When those magnificent establishments, the Bessemer 
steel and iron mills and furnaces (children of Pro- 
tection) closed their doors, that decreased ore and coal 
mining and greatly reduced railroad and ship tonnage, 
and interfered with agriculture. That in time stopped 
the foundries, machine shops, car works and ship yards, 
and it became apparent that the business interests in- 
volved in iron, coal, railroads and steamships, constituted 
a large part of the Nation’s trade, and exerted a powerful 
influence upon agriculture and all other branches. When 
iron and coal are prosperous, almost everything is active 


16 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


and successful ; when they are stagnant, all branches are 
unprofitable. But when in addition to these, the woolen, 
cotton, carpet, glass and other mills were compelled to 
stop their machinery and put out their fires, the condi- 
tion of affairs was appalling. The working men and 
women were overwhelmed with the magnitude of the 
disaster when realizing it fully; while their employers 
could only reduce their expenses of living to the mini- 
mum, and try to keep together the remnants of their 
impaired capital. 

The railroad, steamship, manufacturing and other cor- 
porations could not pay dividends, as they had not one- 
third the usual income, and had to dismiss thousands of 
employes. The banks and bankers could find but little 
safe paper to discount and made no profits, as their 
deposits were withdrawn. Persons who had lived upon 
handsome dividends and rentals received but one-third 
the usual returns, and were forced to reduce expenses 
and discharge clerks and servants. Money sought invest- 
ment at two per cent, a year, but found few takers with 
sound collaterals, while ordinary business paper flooded 
the market without finding buyers, at three per cent, a 
month. Fear and panic and its effects were visible 
everywhere, especially at the financial centres. The 
comfortable homes of workmen, secured after years of 
toil, were sacrificed by the Sheriff to pay interest and 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 17 

greatly increased taxes. The auction houses were filled 
with pianos, pictures and luxuries sent there for sale at 
any price, to meet the necessities of the hour. 

Real estate declined, stores were closed, and in every 
street, in every village, town and city, were seen vacant 
houses, with the ominous: “ To Let” upon them; the for- 
mer happy inmates having abandoned their dwellings and 
doubled up with others in an improvised home. Build- 
ing operations were entirely suspended, throwing out of 
employment thousands of mechanics. The alms-houses, 
asylums and similar institutions were full. Honest and 
industrious labor offered its services at half the former 
pay, but capital was paralyzed, and lacked encourage- 
ment to move forward. 

The men who had made the best watches, the best 
locomotives, the best printing presses, the best mowers 
and reapers, the best sewing machines, firearms, car- 
riages, pumps, pianos, and the best machinery that the 
world can produce, vainly sought work as day laborers ; 
as Free Trade invariably destroys that source of happi- 
ness in a free people: a diversity of occupations, and 
brings the genius, the inventor, the author, the skilled 
artisan, down to the common level. Lower wages fol- 
low a lower tariff, and if the Free Trade principle is 
correct, why not abolish all duties, open the flood-gates 
and get cheap labor and compete for the trade of the 


18 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


world? The Chinese would soon fill our factories and 
workshops and other places of labor to the exclusion of 
American mechanics. 

The labor unions, lodges and benevolent societies for 
aiding the sick and unfortunate, were overwhelmed with 
applicants, and nearly all failed to respond to the con- 
tinuous cry for succor. The brothals and drinking sa- 
loons and low theatres were patronized as usual, the 
prisons were overflowing, and vice and crime were ram- 
pant. Idleness invariably begets crime. 

It is true that merchandise could have been imported at 
a lower cost than formerly was paid for American goods, 
but there was no money with which to buy, and no active 
industries to justify consumption. To pay for these im- 
ports (besides draining the country of gold), flour, grain 
and provisions had to be exported, and the sharp demand 
from abroad increased the price of food at home, at a 
time when the people were earning nothing. There was 
grain by the cargo and hungry people to eat it, but the 
improvident part of the population (who are generally in 
the majority,) found themselves without homes, or food, 
or money, while the thrifty and economical were sacrifi- 
cing their lifelong accumulations to frugally maintain 
themselves in enforced idleness, or in assisting their less 
fortunate relatives. 

In vain did Free Traders give assurance that the lower 


Or, Free Frade Overthrown . 


19 


prices of all imported articles would stimulate business, 
and the decreased wages thereafter to be paid in America 
would ensure a lower cost of goods, and establish an ex- 
port trade for our products. That theory could only be 
correct when, owing to the prostration of manufactures, 
one half of the workmen, to avoid starvation, were 
driven to tilling the soil, thereby cheapening bread, and 
the other half were degraded to mere brainless machines, 
without ambition, or independence, earning a sparce liv- 
ing by incessant toil. The theory was met by actual 
facts — facts fully understood by everybody except Con- 
gressmen. 

Take pig iron, for instance. It was costing then 
in the United States about $20 a ton, fully four-fifths 
of which cost was labor, and it yielded but a small 
profit to the manufacturer. Owing to the extent of 
our domain (some of our single States being larger 
than the entire kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland), 
the ores and the fuel to melt them were sometimes sepa- 
rated a thousand miles, and the iron works were also that 
far from the seaboard ; whereas in Britain the materials 
were closer together, and the mills not one hundred 
miles from the sea, thus avoiding the heavy freight 
charges incident to American business ; hence in Britain 
pig iron was costing about $11 a ton, owing to cheaper 
labor and interest, and the freight from Britain to America 


20 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


was less than from Harrisburg to Albany. As a natural 
consequence, our wharves were soon groaning under for- 
eign pig iron. Free Traders said to the mills and foun- 
dries : “ Why don’t you buy it and start your works ?” 
But the rail and bar iron mills, plate and sheet mills 
bad no orders, and would not roll their products without 
prospects of sale, especially at the high cost of home 
labor. Lower wages became a necessity. 

The railroads and coasting and inland steamers were 
not carrying one-third their usual tonnage, because 
of the paralysis of the iron and coal business, and 
wanted no rails, engines, cars, or machinery — in fact, 
whole miles of empty railroad cars were rotting on the 
sidings, and the piers of our seaports were lined with 
idle ships and steamers decaying and rusting. The foun- 
dries found their customers had “ shut down,” and were 
not needing any pipes or castings. The same process ' 
applied to every other branch of trade, and the over- 
throw of American industry was complete. 

To show what even a partial prostration of American 
industries means, and to place Free Trade and Protection 
side by side, we will give the amount of product of two 
American industries under both policies. From 1846 to 
1857, years of low tariff, the annual output of pig iron 
in the United States averaged 800,000 tons. In 1882, 
after twenty years of Protection, the product was 4,623,- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


21 


000 tons ! In 1860 we were mining coal at the rate of 
13,000,000 tons a year, while in 1882 our mines poured 
out 65,000,000 tons ! What benefit the American people 
received from this enormous tonnage and its transporta- 
tion, can best be answered by asking the questions : — 
Who made the profit and received the wages for this 
work ? Had it been done abroad, who then would have 
received the advantage ? 

One argument in favor of a reduction in the tariff had 
been that the National revenue was excessive, and a 
heavy surplus was dangerous to the virtue of the Gov- 
ernment employes. That might apply to politicians in 
office, and should have suggested a change of clerks, and 
at best it was a gross reflection upon thousands of other 
honest employes. The Treasury Department, while re- 
membering the hundreds of millions appropriated for 
pensions, rivers, harbors, and other purposes outside of 
the ordinary expenses of the Government, fully calcula- 
ted that the income would be sufficient for all contingen- 
cies. But when sixty millions of intelligent people — 
who were generous providers and liberal spenders in 
ordinary times — suddenly found themselves with greatly 
reduced incomes, the consumption of necessities was 
materially reduced, and the use of luxuries was suspen- 
ded almost entirely, hence, while foreign goods of every 
description poured into every port on our seacoast for 


22 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


the first six months of the year, the people had not the 
ability to purchase. 

In some cities, societies and clubs were formed 
pledging members against wearing or using imported 
articles where they took the place of American goods. 
The result was that during the second six months 
of Free Trade, the American markets were glutted 
with foreign goods, prices declined without finding 
buyers, and shipments ceased, and the Government Cus- 
tom collectors found the revenue decreasing to an alarm- 
ing extent; and the recently overflowing treasury soon 
collapsed. 

To preserve the integrity of the Nation was the first 
thought of the Executive, and the income having ceased, 
the quickest way to accomplish it was to stop the lavish 
expenditures — and the decree soon went forth to cease 
paying the pensions, to close the Navy Yards, and reduce 
the garrisons in the forts, to stop work on all Public 
buildings in the United States, to further reduce the Army 
and Navy, and to close the Life Saving Stations along 
our dangerous seacoast, to abolish the Signal Service, 
and discharge officials in other positions wherever their 
services could be dispensed with, especially in the Cus- 
tom Houses and Eevenue Service. This prompt action 
did not save the Government from embarrassment, as a 
temporary loan was negotiated ; but it increased by thou- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


23 


sands the already swollen ranks of people without em- 
ployment, and our larger cities and towns were crowded 
with men and women with nothing to do but to parade 
the streets and decry Free Trade and its authors, while 
from the more devout the cry went up : “ How long, O 
Lord, how long?” 


24 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


CHAPTER III. 

The year passed, a year of misery and privation, the 
results of the foulest page on the annals of American 
legislation. Heretofore the people had borne their suf- 
ferings without any violent demonstrations, except in 
three instances where hungry women and children, 
marched through the streets of manufacturing towns and 
demanded work or bread. A crisis was approaching as 
Congress would soon assemble ; and to demand a repeal 
of the obnoxious laws, a restoration of the tariff and a 
resumption of work by our industries was the upper- 
most thought in every unbiased mind. 

In a Western city certain Communists and Nihilists, 
who had recently come from Europe, called a meeting 
to discuss the impoverished condition of the people, and 
the hall was filled, especially with the lower grade of 
foreigners, many of them hungry men and women. The 
speaker denounced the Government in violent, inflamma- 
tory language, and exhorted his hearers to “ Break open 
the banks and warehouses, take the money and goods 
and put the monopolists to repairing the public roads — 


Or } Free Trade Overthrown. 


25 


that all men were equal, and the rich should he forced to 
divide with the poor, or have their property burnt all 
which was language not new or unusual from similar 
sources, although public safety demanded its suppression. 

While one demagogue was thus poisoning the minds 
of his ignorant hearers, several trains of Eastern bound 
grain and provision cars arrived from the West, and 
stopped at the adjoining station for fuel and water. The 
speaker raised his voice to a scream and continued : 
“ While the toiling millions of America are starving, 
whole trains of provisions are being carried by rail to the 
seaboard daily for export on the foreign steamers, to pay 
for imported articles.” Then pointing with excited ges- 
ticulations towards the arriving trains, and with fire flash- 
ing from his eyes, the speaker shouted : “ Men and wom- 
en, behold the bread and meat which you are hungering 
for. It goes by ship-loads to feed the paupers of Europe, 
while you and your children are starving. I command 
you , freemen, to open those cars and live, or crawl like 
slaves to your hovels and die !” 

With one bound the motley crowd of infuriated 
people rushed towards the cars and began to break them 
open, and distribute the contents : flour, hams, cheese, 
&c., to the people. As other trains were constantly 
arriving, they too were attacked by the excited crowd. 
The railroad officials telegraphed to detain incoming 


26 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


trains, but found the wires had been severed. They 
then gathered into an empty car for consultation, 
and revolvers were distributed to them, and they deter- 
mined to protect the railroad property. The police failed 
to quiet the increasing storm or disperse the rioters, and 
as further outrages were attempted, the railroad officials, 
on a given signal, unhappily fired their pistols into the 
crowd, killing and wounding a score of men and women, 
including several who were innocent and harmless spec- 
tators. This aroused the evil passions of the crowd to 
a pitch which placed them beyond control, and the num- 
ber increased to several thousand. Bridges were demol- 
ished, depots burned, the rails torn up. The engines 
were run together in groups and destroyed by burning 
coal oil beneath them. 

In vain did the Mayor of this Western city read the 
riot act and command them to disperse ; he was laughed 
at and his authority despised. The Governor was ap- 
pealed to, and after hours had passed, he, in turn applied 
to the General Government for troops to suppress the 
rioters, but neither the State nor the National Govern- 
ment had a regiment of soldiers which could be spared 
from other duties, nor hastily mustered into service. In 
the meanwhile, night had come on, and one of the trains 
having been found to contain raw whiskey, the men, 
who had satisfied their hunger with raw pork and ham, 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


27 


now drank liberally of the liquor, which added to their 
fury, and in their drunkenness they entered dwellings 
and drove the inmates into the streets, destroyed church- 
es and public buildings, adjacent to the depot, until the 
glaring red of the sky showed for miles around that the 
City of was being destroyed. 

There being no organization of conspirators nor revo- 
lutionary designs, the tumult died out with the returning 
light of morning, and the soberness of the participants, 
leaving the County or State to pay for the millions of 
damage done during the disturbance. 

American citizens are a law abiding people, and 
throughout the length and breadth of the land these 
proceedings were condemned and the rioters denounced, 
and as the terrible news was telegraphed far and wide, 
thousands of workingmen and other citizens offered 
their services to suppress the riot and uphold the law 
ful authorities; but the demonstration being one of 
passion, had died a natural death. The United States 
Government was impotent to carry out that provision of 
the Constitution which required it to “ suppress insurrec- 
tions,” and “ to protect each State against invasion or 
domestic violence.” 

Meetings were held, however, in every city, at which 
Free Trade was proclaimed as the ruin of the Nation, and 
demanding of Congress its abolition immediately, and 


28 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


the restoration of that Protection which had brought the 
country up to its formei greatness and glory. 

Congress hesitated for months, and only succumbed to 
the pressure from their constituents, when the leading 
business men from nearly every Congressional District 
in the Union went to Washington, and first, by a public 
meeting, which in magnitude and dignity was unprece- 
dented in the history of the Country, and afterwards by 
a personal application to their different Senators and 
Representatives, fortified by Petitions from their em- 
ployes, finally secured the annuling of the obnoxious 
Free Trade Bill, and the release of the American people 
from poverty. 

This Nation being a representative Democracy, with 
the people as the source of power, there was nothing left 
for Congress to do upon this question ; but the succeed- 
ing elections placed in authority a President and a 
Congress who were pledged to “ Protection to Home 
Industries,” that being the issue upon which the canvass 
was conducted. With both Tariff men and Free Traders 
in the two leading political parties of the Country, the 
Protectionists rallied to the support of the renovated and 
regenerated party which had always favored a tariff in 
theory, hut the leading plank of whose National Plat- 
form was now stamped with Protection to American 
industry and labor in unmistakable characters. The 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


29 


working people of America had learned from practical 
experience that Protection meant prosperity and liberal 
wages, and that Free Trade produced poverty and starva- 
tion wages, and voted accordingly. Hence that party at 
the polls swept the Country from Lake to Glulf, from Sea 
to Sea. 

A few years of industry and activity, under the re- 
stored tariff, again caused business to flow into its usual 
channels, and the people struggled manfully and pa- 
tiently to retrieve the losses of the darkest year in 
American history. 


30 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


CHAPTER IV. 

The question of Protection to our manufactures was 
thus permanently settled in the United States, but there 
still were laws upon the Statute Book, passed by Con- 
gress years previously, the practical operation of which 
had driven American ships engaged in the foreign trade 
from the ocean, and prostrated that branch of business ; 
throwing it into the hands of foreigners. The process 
was slower than that which overtook the manufacturers, 
when the Free Trade Act was passed, but the result was 
no less certain in effecting the destrnction of the Amer- 
ican merchant marine. 

A National Navy is surely a necessary adjunct of a 
country whose dominions have an ocean frontage of 
thousands of miles, as a partial protection to its defence- 
less seaports against the powerful armaments of sur- 
rounding nations, and as a terror to pirates and maraud- 
ers at sea; giving assurance of security at home, and 
commanding respect abroad. And an Army seems essen- 
tial. Not an immense standing army of enforced sol- 
diers, kept in readiness, should the will or whim of the 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


31 


Sovereign demand their services — that was contrary to 
the traditions of the Americans. But a Nation, com- 
posed in part of a floating population of immigrants 
from many other countries, people who had not always a 
proper sense of responsibility, and were often ignorant 
of our customs and laws, required a force of well drilled 
and equipped men, as a National police force, to be used 
with discretion in suppressing riots, protecting life and 
property, and maintaining order where the civil author- 
ities were unable to cope with the disturbance ; a cir- 
cumstance which had occurred on several occasions. As 
to an army for National defence against foreign invasion, 
it was long the settled conviction of the Nation, and one 
recognized by other nations, that no foe could succeed in 
conquest by land; the people were too easily trans- 
formed into soldiers, and in their hills and valleys and 
internal lake3 and streams could hold out indefinitely 
against any force that the world could send against them. 

Extraordinary as it may seem, at the time of these 
occurrences ( 18 — ),the United States had neither a Navy 
nor an Army worthy of the name. The Constitution de- 
clares that Oongress shall have power to “ provide and 
maintain a navy,” and to “ raise and support armies;” to 
“ declare war and to punish piracies and felonies com- 
mitted on the high seas and against the laws of nations;” 
to “ protect each State against invasion or domestic vio- 


32 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


lence,” and to “ provide for the common defence.” How 
any one or all of these provisions were observed was a 
question for Congress to answer ; as they had neglected 
to provide for army and navy ; and that fact led to the 
disasters herein recorded. 

Besides, there being but few armories or accommoda- 
tions for military drill in the different States, owing to 
the apathy of the people, who withheld financial support 
and encouragement, many of the State Militia and Home 
Guard organizations had been abandoned ; so that 
thoughtful people looked with concern upon a parade of 
Communists, 25,000 strong, in New York City, marching 
to revolutionary airs, flaunting the red flag of revolt, and 
displaying banners which announced principles that were 
subversive of all order and government. 

Neither had this Nation at this time a merchant 
marine, as before mentioned. Most of the iron and 
wooden steamers and ships engaged in the foreign trade 
were owned and manned by foreigners, and sailed under 
foreign flags, and the immense traffic between our shores 
and other countries was carried on almost entirely in 
British ships, whose owners received the profits and ad- 
vantages. In case of war between Britain and another 
maritime nation, this unnatural condition of affairs 
would expose all our exports to capture, and our com- 
merce to sudden destruction. 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


83 


The Star-Spangled Banner, once the pride of Amer- 
icans at home and abroad, and the admiration of the 
poor and oppressed of all nations, was seldom or never 
seen, except on our Public buildings and hotels, or on 
our coasting vessels. Blood crimsoned the cheeks of 
Americans when they realized that the Envoys and 
Plenipotentiaries of the United States to foreign nations 
were compelled to proceed thence under an alien flag, 
while the American Ministers and Consuls to Brazil and 
to the sister Republics of South America could not reach 
their destination without crossing the ocean to England, 
•thence re-crossing, and always in British ships; as all 
the American direct steamship lines had been superceded 
by the foreign subsidized steamers. 

The reasons for the decline of our formerly grand and 
profitable merchant marine were various, some of them 
being that Congress, under pressure from the South and 
West, which favored agriculture, at the expense of com- 
merce and manufactures, totally failed to grasp the un- 
deniable truth that ships built of American materials, by 
American capital and labor, required Protection in some 
way, as well as American factories. That American 
ships could not compete with ships built, manned 
and run by the cheaper materials, interest, labor and 
taxes of Britain, nor could American manufactures 
stand similar competition with foreign products, the ex- 


34 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


periment having been tried; resulting in failure. If 
Congress had persisted in legislating for the factory as 
they had for the ship, the manufacturing industries of 
this Country would have met the fate of the ships, and 
been swept away permanently, universal bankruptcy fol- 
lowing in their wake. Congress voted millions of dollars 
to carry imaginary mails over vacuous swamps of the 
South and inane plains of the West, and millions more 
to improve ambitious rivers and pseudo harbors, and 
millions for the railroad and coasting mail service, but 
nothing to encourage foreign commerce in American 
ships, and not a dollar above cost for conveying the 
ocean mails, and sometimes compelling steamers to carry 
such mails at a loss. 

Congress neglected to heed the Constitution, which 
provides : “ They shall have full power to establish com- 
merce and again, “ Congress shall have power to regu- 
late commerce with foreign nations and with the Indian 
tribes.” The paltry amount of money voted by Congress 
for “ establishing commerce ” could readily be ascer- 
tained by reference to the Treasury archives, but the 
untold millions which had been drawn from the Nation’s 
coffers to u regulate the Indian tribes,” will never be 
revealed this side of doomsday. 

Instead of protecting and fostering American com- 
merce, Congressional legislation merely finished the 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 35 

work of destruction commenced by the British-built 
Confederate cruisers of 1861, by imposing and continu- 
ing onerous war taxes and burdens, and imposing unjust 
laws and discriminations against American ships used in 
the foreign trade, so that Americans could only own 
such shipping at the expense of being ruined. One 
count against King George, in the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, was “ for cutting off our trade with all parts 
of the world,” exactly what Congress persisted in 
doing. 

In strong contrast to this was the policy of Great 
Britain and other European nations, which fostered ship 
building, and encouraged commerce by munificent liber- 
ality. The foundation of the British Navigation Laws 
was self interest. "With her grand navy, Britain really 
had fewer National Navy Yards than America, because 
Britain employed private ship builders, at immense pro- 
fits, to build most of her magnificent war ships ; and she 
subsidized her merchant marine, paying enormous sums 
for postal and other services to her merchants, and thus 
enabled them to underbid all competitors for the ocean 
carrying trade of the world ; and they were not back- 
ward to seize the golden opportunity, to their own ag- 
grandizement, and to the destruction of our American 
merchant marine. Nothing but the law that American 
shipping only should be engaged in our coasting trade 


36 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


and inland navigation, saved that extensive and profit- 
able business from a similar fate. 

It could not be denied that during the period when the 
Government did advance part of the money to start an 
American line to Europe, and paid encouraging sums 
for carrying the mails from Hew York, that a line of 
magnificent steamers was established which have scarcely 
had their parallel in later times. Many Americans still 
remember with pride the Collins American steamers. 
And had Congress thus spent annually a few millions in 
subsidies and mail contracts, it would have encouraged 
others to enter the business, and repaid the Nation ten- 
fold, and we would not now have to acknowledge the 
humiliating fact that but two lines of steamers carrying 
the American fiag are plowing the ocean ! All subsidies 
and special Governmental mail contracts having been 
withdrawn, under the dictatorial demands of Jefferson 
Davis and similar leaders, the business was destroyed ; 
inasmuch as private merchants and companies could not 
contend and compete with foreign merchants, whose 
lines were protected and subsidized by their Govern- 
ments, especially when American commerce was further 
hampered with antiquated taxes and discriminations. 

It was that true American Statesman, James G. Blaine, 
who suggested that a general law of the United States 
be passed, offering any person or corporation who would 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 37 

build a ship or steamer with American materials and 
labor, a subsidy for carrying the mails to foreign countries, 
according to frequency of trips and miles traveled, which 
would immediately revive our drooping commerce ; and 
John Stuart Mill, a true Britain, proclaimed the fact that 
“ Government should do the things which are made 
incumbent upon it by the helplessness of the people.” 
All but Congressmen seemed to appreciate the wisdom 
of these sages. 

The Erie Canal was built by New York State. The 
railroads and canals in Pennsylvania, which developed 
the coal and iron trades, were built by the Common- 
wealth. The Pennsylvania Railroad, the pioneer high- 
way to the West, was helped financially by the City of 
Philadelphia. With the record of these and other Govern- 
mental subsidies and grants subsequently made to public 
improvements before us, we can appreciate the wisdom 
of Congress in its liberal grants of Public land and 
financial support to the Pacific Railroads. Without such 
assistance, these stupendous enterprises could not have 
been built. Who can estimate the hundreds of millions 
of wealth these subsidized railroads and canals have pro- 
duced for the American people ? And who can deny 
that similar treatment of American shipping would pro- 
duce like results ? 

To make matters still worse, Congress had passed a 


38 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


law called : “ The Free Ship Bill,” which enabled Amer- 
icans to buy ships abroad; but this remedy, intended for 
the relief of our ship owners, totally failed (just as Free 
Trade in merchandise had failed) ; as it led to the reduc- 
tion of the wages of American shipwrights to starvation 
prices, to enable their employers in building ships, to 
compete with British shipmasters. After this policy had 
closed all the private ship-yards left in the United States, 
ruining the owners and scattering the workmen, the 
British shipbuilders, seeing that all competition was 
v crushed out, advanced the prices of ships fully up to 
what they would have cost if built in America; so that 
Americans could not own ships to advantage, for use in 
foreign trade, especially as Congress had never repealed 
the unjust taxes, laws and discriminations, which were 
levied upon American ownership in ships. 

As our ocean merchant marine declined, rendering it 
impossible to open new markets for our products and 
manufactures abroad, unless carried under foreign flags, 
so declined our once glorious National Navy, as the one 
seldom exists without the other; and our Navy Yards 
were almost abandoned. Congress utterly failed to ap- 
preciate the wisdom of the British policy, which, in re- 
turn for the bountiful subsidies paid to her merchants, 
by law held this splendid fleet of merchant steamers 
and other ships, subject to the order of the Government, 


Or } Free Trade Overthrown. 


39 


as cruisers and transports, in case of war. By this ar- 
rangement Britain adopted a reliable means of National 
defence and public safety. Her noble merchant marine, 
while plying from shore to shore, carrying the products 
of all climes in times of peace, thereby enriching her 
subjects ; also possessed the power of readily being 
transformed into potent engines of destruction, in case 
of war. 


40 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


1 


CHAPTER V . 

In the year of these occurrences, 18 — , Great Britain 
having lost her prestige, was declining towards a second- 
rate power; chiefly because the people had lost confi- 
dence in the Government, which intermeddled in the 
affairs of every other country, to the neglect of the inte- 
rests of her home subjects. One of the first acts of the 
newly crowned British King was to modifyJFree Trade, 
and try to save England and its manufactures from the 
fate which overtook Ireland, by a Protective Tariff* on 
foreign goods. Her immense resources of coal, iron, 
tin, etc., being nearly exhausted, and enhanced in cost 
by depth of mining; her workshops abandoned by their 
most skillful workmen, who had emigrated to the Hew 
World, where workmen are constantly being advanced 
to capitalists ; and her manufacturers driven to despera- 
tion, when they found that other nations persistently 
refused to follow in Britain’s ruinous Free Trade wake, 
(even her own colonies having repudiated it,) and that 
superior American goods were supplying part of their 
trade in foreign countries, and supplanting their own 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


41 


goods in their home markets; His Majesty tried to re- 
vive trade, and again make England the workshop of the 
world, and force all peoples to contribute to her prosperi- 
ty, but failed in the effort. 

When his ancestors ruled this Country they crushed 
out our infant manufactures ; and after the Colonies had 
asserted their independence, Parliament passed laws for- 
bidding the export of machinery or the emigration of 
mechanics to America, and subsequently British manufac- 
turers had frequently combined and shipped goods to 
this country to be sacrificed, with the view of wrecking 
our growing industries. More than Majesty was required 
to correct British Free Trade blunders of half a cen- 
tury’s duration. The only Free Traders left in Britain 
at this time were the Government, the College Professors, 
and the princely manufacturers, whose organs still urged 
Free Trade as the only true policy for all people ; but 
the working masses were aroused, and preferred for them- 
selves Protection to their own labor and industries against 
the more degraded labor of Europe, and demanded a 
share of the comforts insured to American workmen. 

The American people, while having but little sympathy 
with the British form of government, and believing that 
the wealthy British manufacturers were actuated by 
purely selfish motives in trying to cheapen products by 
depressing labor, always entertained the kindliest feel. 


42 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


ings for the middle classes of the British Isles, and were 
prepared to intensify that feeling when the love of liberty, 
which abounded on both sides of the Atlantic, caused the 
entire English speaking people to be Republican in form 
of government. 

How to use the immense capital and secure a safe in- 
eome was what exercised the minds of the British people 
at this time. In London, interest had declined to less 
than two per cent, a year, while taxes were increasing to 
support Royalty in its luxury. There being but little 
use for money in business, owing to severe competition 
and trifling profits, the people sought investments abroad ; 
and millions of British gold had gone into the Isthmus 
Oanal, and into Mexican silver mines, forests and rail- 
roads. The merchant fleets of Britain had for years 
carried the products of their factories to Mexico, Brazil 
and other South American States, and the British war 
ships invariably followed, to protect the commerce and 
subjects of the Sea-girt Isle. 

Just at this juncture, the governments of Great Britain, 
F ranee and Germany were smarting under a supposed 
affront given them by the United States Government, in 
some transactions connected with the inter-oceanic canal. 
War had even been hinted at by the radical newspapers, 
but the matter was in process of amicable adjustment, as 
generally could be, and always should be, among 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 43 

Christian nations. A Provincial English newspaper had 
sneeringly said, however, that the other Powers, being 
unable to discover any American army or navy to fight 
with, rather than annihilate a race of mechanics and 
farmers, concluded to let diplomacy settle the dispute 
peacefully. 

About the same time Yucatan, one of the Gulf States 
composing the Republic of Mexico, which had previously 
seceded from the Mexican Confederation several times, 
and returned again to the embrace of the Mother Country, 
had declared its independence, and started anew, under a 
Republican form of government. The new nation was 
promptly recognized by the United States, as was the 
custom in similar precedents ; which act gave offence to 
several European powers. 

The reason was because the Mexican Congress had 
granted extraordinary privileges to the British, French 
and Belgians for railroad building, timber cutting and 
silver mining, and they had imported their machinery 
and labor, and were doing a large and profitable busi- 
ness. The revolution and secession of Yucatan inter- 
rupted all this prosperity and placed the newly fledged 
State under the control of people who favored the 
Americans, but were inimical to foreign influence, and 
the country was kept in a turmoil for months; when 
suddenly a counter revolution overthrew the government, 


44 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 

and a Frenchman was declared President, who, being 
a military man, managed affairs to please himself and 
compeers. But the country did not recover its prosperi- 
ty, as the Americans had conciliated the Mexican gov- 
ernment, and were building railroads and canals and 
working silver mines and cutting mahogany to their own 
profit, hut much to the disadvantage of the Revolutionary 
party of Yucatan; and there were fears of a hostile 
conflict, and most of the Americans left the country. 

Finally, a claim for ten millions of dollars was pre- 
ferred by these foreign schemers, who controlled the 
government of Yucatan, against the United States Gov- 
ernment, for timber alleged to have been improperly 
taken by American citizens from mahogany forests 
owned by the Yucatanites ; a demand which the press 
and the people treated with the utmost contempt, as it 
was evidently hut one of many attempts, from home and 
from abroad, to get a hand into the American Treasury; 
and Congress only laughed, as they remembered the 
French Spoliation and Geneva Award claims, still un- 
settled. 

To show further how the events of that year came 
about, and led to the disasters recorded in this history, 
we must state that there were unprincipled and corrupt 
men in the United States, some native hut more of them 
adopted citizens, who were ready to do anything to 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 


45 


secure money, without honestly earning it. Their 
fathers had amassed colossal fortunes in stock gambling 
operations ; others had locked up money in the hanks, to 
the distress and ruin of hundreds ; others had speculated 
in grain and meat, withholding them from dealers, and 
raising the price of food to the poor man and widow and 
orphan ; others had gambled in cotton, withdrawing it 
from market to raise the price from scarcity, thereby 
making money by stopping the cotton mills for weeks, 
and nearly starving the operatives; others had been 
blackade runners during the Rebellion of 1861, and kept 
it alive for years, so that nearly every Northern soldier 
who fell, was shot with English balls, fired from English 
rifles with English powder ; others had been engaged in 
the execrable slave trade, bringing the unhappy Africans 
to Cuba, and selling those who survived the horrors of 
the slave ships, at so much per head ; others had sup- 
plied the Chinese with opium and gensing, destroying 
them body and soul ; others formed idols in brass and 
iron, to supply the heathen with gods for worship; others 
had organized mining and other corporations, taking 
millions from their dupes in exchange for valueless stock; 
others had made worthless British calicoes, and sold 
them to China and India, branded “ American.” 

Still others had fled the country because of an at- 
tempt to capture Canada, during the Irish troubles; 


46 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


others had been Indian agents in the West, who sold 
war materials to the savages with which to devastate the 
frontier settlements ; others had filled Government con- 
tracts with inferior materials, at dishonest prices ; others 
had left the United States, because of their complicity in 
the whiskey rebellion of 18 — ; another large number 
were involved in an attempt to elect their candidate 
President of the United States, by secretly assuring 
voters that he would, when elected, unite the State with 
their peculiar Church, and bring about a marriage that 
is repugnant to every true American heart. Finally, 
there were Nihilists and Communists, worthless vaga- 
bonds from all quarters of the globe, too lazy to work, 
and too poor to live without it, but loud in their opinion 
that, the world owed them a living, and they intended to 
have it. There were also corrupt men in high official 
positions, elected by the improper use of money, against 
the honest votes of the people; and many more such 
men out of office, all spending money beyond their in- 
comes, and ready for any enterprise, honorable or other- 
wise, which would replenish their coffers and support 
them in luxury ; as the ill-gotten gains of their ancestors 
had long since been squandered. 


Or } Free Trade Overthrown . 


47 


CHAPTER VI. 

In August 18 — the Government of the United States 
was at peace with all the world, and there were substan- 
tial evidences of increasing prosperity and happiness on 
every side. The country rapidly recuperated after the 
establishment of Protection to our industries, and had no* 
fears of danger from any source. But having neither 
Army nor Navy the Monroe Doctrine could not be en- 
forced in Yucatan. 

For months previously, however, there had been un- 
usual telegraphic messages sent over the country in 
cipher, many of them were cabled to Europe and Mexico, 
but these excited no suspicion, owing to the large amount 
of business transacted ; all the leading merchants using 
a cipher, to preserve privacy. At about the same time 
one of our Consuls had reported a large influx of men 
into the Mexican State of Yucatan. Many of them 
were Belgians and other foreigners, and some came from 
the United States. One Consul, who seemed to spare 
a little time to attend to State duties, actually discovered 
the fact, and wrote to the Department of State, that a 


48 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


large army and navy were evidently drilling and practi- 
cing on the Yucatan coast. 

Reports had also been received from Mobile, that ship- 
ments of cannon and war materials had gone to Yucatan 
from England, and it was thought an expedition was or- 
ganizing to conquer and hold one of the smaller Central 
American States — a species of warfare and plunder not 
unknown to the “ manifest destiny” Americans or the 
u Mosquito King ” British of a former age. 

At this time the United States had no Navy worth 
mentioning, and the American Foreign Merchant Marine 
was too trifling to be in any danger, so the Cabinet, upon 
hearing of these warlike preparations on our Southern 
borders merely said that if these Mexican half-breeds 
chose to edify themselves by shooting each other, they 
were entitled to the privilege. 

On a sultry evening early in August, 18 — , the third 
Assistant Secretary of State, the only Cabinet Represen- 
tative in Washington, was waited upon by the Minister 
from Yucatan, who demanded his passports, and handed 
to the astonished official a declaration of war against the 
United States; to the effect that the President and Con- 
gress of Yucatan, being unable to obtain payment of 
their just claims and a redress of grievances through the 
usual diplomatic intercourse, had appealed to the sword ; 
also declaring the whole Atlantic and Pacific coasts of 


Or , Free Trade Overthrown . 


49 


the United States under blockade, of which all foreign 
Powers had’received proper notification. The Secretary 
telegraphed the extraordinary news to the President, 
who had gone to the Oregon coast, to recover from mala- 
ria; also to the Cabinet, who had deserted the pest-strick- 
en Capital|in"Summer, and who were at various places 
from 200 to 2000 miles distant. 

The next morning the press took up the news, and 
treated it with derisive contempt ; in fact the whole peo- 
ple looked upon the matter as the very climax of farcical 
absurdity, and a laugh of scorn was heard throughout 
the country. 

A change came over the people on the following day, 
as the cotton and. other brokers discovered that tele- 
graphic communication with the South and West had 
been broken, and there being no apparent cause, it was 
feared that the wires had been tampered with. It was 
difficult to communicate with the President in Oregon, 
and this suspense resulted in a feverish condition of 
trade. The possibility of a conspiracy was suggested, 
involving certain base characters from the United States 
and elsewhere, known to be in Mexico, with compeers, 
possibly, at home ; and before sunset, stocks declined ten 
per cent, and all business was dull and unsettled. 

Energetic measures were inaugurated by the Govern- 
ment, which controlled all railroads and telegraphs^ and 


50 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


peculiar breaks were discovered, evidently the work of 
design, and extending for hundreds of miles. Feverish- 
ness in commercial and financial circles was succeeded 
in a few days by excitement and panic at the Stock ex- 
changes, and this feeling of insecurity was intensified, 
when news came, tardily, from Mobile, that an earth- 
quake, or some dreadful calamity had happened in 
Florida; but owing to the interruption of telegraphic 
communication, no particulars could be obtained. The 
next day, however, revealed the truth in all its dreadful 
reality. It being Sunday, the people were assembled in 
their houses of worship, in the evening, when the news 
was read to them, as it had flashed across the continent, 
and under the ocean, that a fleet of ironclads and other 
war steamers, flying the colors of Yucatan, had sailed 
up Pensacola Bay, in Florida, captured the half garri- 
soned forts, after a feeble resistance, dismantled and de- 
molished them, and after three hours’ notice to the in- 
habitants to vacate, had shelled and reduced to ashes 
most of the City of Pensacola; and then steamed away 
for parts unknown, without effecting a landing. 

The two leading political parties of the day were fa- 
miliarly termed : “ Progressionists ” and “ Obstruction- 
ists.” The latter had generally been in the minority, 
but could, with the assistance of a few trimmers from 
the other side, secure votes enough to pass certain 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 


51 


measures through Congress, and they had again attempt- 
ed to reduce the tariff on imports ; had delayed resump- 
tion of specie payments, assailed the National Banks, 
favored State Sovereignty, or the right of one State to 
secede at pleasure from the National compact ; and both 
parties were responsible for violations of the Constitu- 
tion respecting an army and navy, and for bad navigation 
and tax laws, and Free Trade in ships, which had swept 
our merchant marine from the ocean and indirectly invi- 
ted this invasion. But when the appalling news came 
from Florida, when our homes were endangered, our flag 
outraged, and the Nation humiliated by a band of half 
breed Indians and their allies, their so-called political 
differences were scattered to the winds, and all parties, 
schisms and factions seemed to have run together like 
ores in a furnace, and the finished product turned out, 
as if from one mould was : “ American Citizen.” 

Painful days and sleepless nights followed. The peo- 
ple assembled in mass meetings and demanded instant 
action by the Government. The excitement was intense, 
and hourly increasing, especially in the large cities. 
Stocks fell off in price 25 to 50 per cent., and a financial 
panic swept over the country, carrying down weak 
houses, and crippling stronger ones. Many large manu- 
facturing establishments closed their doors, which helped 
further to swell the throng of excited men and women 


52 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


in the streets. Congress could not be convened in special 
session, without the signature of the President, and he 
could not he reached, for reasons already given. The 
Navy Department telegraphed for its scattered officers, 
who prepared to leave for the South, as an attack on 
Mobile or New Orleans seemed probable. 

The navy consisted of but few vessels, and nearly all, 
unfortunately, were absent from the United States. The 
Pacific squadron of three steamers was escorting the Presi- 
dential party to and from Oregon, others were on duty at 
the Isthmus Canal, several on the Newfoundland coast, 
others in the China Sea, looking after Pirates who had 
robbed American citizens. Finally, two old wooden 
ships, all of the United States Navy that was available 
in American waters in this hour of dire need, were 
equipped and manned at Fortress Monroe, and de- 
spatched to Mobile, with instructions to await further 
orders from the Department. 

As to the army, there was none worthy of the name. 
A few men answered to roll call at the various forts of 
the country, many of these, together with the cadets 
from West Point and Annapolis, had been sent to the 
South. The rest of the army were fully occupied with 
the Mormons and Indians, or were doing duty on the 
Canadian frontier. 

Nearly a week had passed before the painful details of 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 53 

the atrocities at Pensacola arrived, the telegraph still 
working irregularly. Appeals came from Mobile and 
other Southern cities for means of defending themselves 
against the ferocious enemy, who was hourly expected. 
After some delay, the Vice-President, by advice of the 
Cabinet who had assembled in Washington, and at the 
urgent solicitation of leading citizens, issued a semi-offi- 
cial call upon the Governors of the States to despatch 
the local State Militia at once to the South. The Massa- 
chusetts 6th, the New York 7th, the South Carolina 3d, 
the Pennsylvania Keystone Battery, the Maryland 5th, 
and Virginia Black Horse Cavalry hastily assembled, mus- 
tered in men enough to fill up their platoons, and all 
except the Battery took their departure for Mobile the 
same night. Other States soon responded, and within 
ten days from the destruction of Pensacola, some 10,000 
men, indifferently armed, equipped, and officered, were 
en route Southward. There was no ample provision for 
transporting and feeding so large a number of men, 
but the American mind was equal to the position. Pri- 
vation and suffering could be endured temporarily ; they 
had borne them before, and with patience, for the sake 
of the dear country they were proud to call their own. 

If the intelligence of the fall of Pensacola ‘aroused the 
indignation of the American People, and the latent ener- 
gies of the Government, how startling was the effect 


54 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


when the news came which intensified the feeling, and 
made the blood of Americans boil with shame, that the 
two frigates, which had sailed from Fortress Monroe, 
had been met, three days after they left Hampton Roads, 
by the enemy’s fleet. 

The commander of the American fleet (if we can 
designate it such) was that brave officer, Captain Far- 
ragut Robeson, who sailed Southward contrary to his 
own judgment, as he feared the hostile ships might 
steam Northward ; but obeying orders, his colors 
were flying gaily, when an ironclad steamer hove in 
sight, fired a shot across his bow, and commanded him to 
surrender. It was unlike an American thus to yield 
without an effort to defend himself and the honor of his 
country; so be ran his twenty-pounders out of their 
wooden port-holes, and prepared for action. An hour 
brought a dozen of the enemy’s iron steamers in sight, 
with heavy guns and full crews, which were skilfully 
manoeuvred from the flagship; and at a signal they 
poured a broadside into the wooden American ships, 
badly crippling them both. The plucky American re- 
turned the fire, without any effect, when a second shot 
from the enemy carried away his masts, and he could do 
nothing to save his men still living, but strike his colors 
and ask for a parley with a view to surrendering. But 
the shot and shell poured incessantly into the ill-fated 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 55 

ships, until they went to the bottom with all on 
board. 

The American people were exasperated beyond meas- 
ure by this outrage, and were inclined to find fault with 
the Government for sending the army and navy South, 
while possibly the real danger was in the North. A 
rumor had come from Boston that a suspicious fleet had 
been sighted south of Montauk Point, hut similar stories 
were telegraphed from Charleston and Galveston; so 
that the uncertainty and excitement seemed to increase 
hourly, adding to the perplexity of the Government. 

Business was prostrated. Recruiting offices were 
opened in the large cities, and the American flag, which 
had been hidden for years, was unfurled from many 
buildings. It was touching to see the devotion of the 
people to their time-honored banner. 

The fear was increasing that the enemy might have 
designs upon the North, and the bankers and merchants 
came forward and offered millions with which to pur- 
chase ships to protect their cities. Most of the seaports 
were defenceless against the invulnerable steel-clad 
steamers of the enemy. There were vessels enough in 
New York harbor alone to make a formidable navy, after 
American ingenuity had encased them in steel armor 
plates. These vessels were, however, with the exception 
of a few coasters, all owned by foreigners, and they could 


56 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


not be legally transferred in ownership without weeks of 
delay. As to American ships, Congressional action had 
practically driven such from the seas ; and now the time 
had come for using them, hut none could be immediately 
secured. In Hew York harbor several iron clad war 
steamers belonging to European nations were gaily 
riding at anchor, with their flags flying in holiday cos- 
tume, as if laughing at the National disgrace and dis- 
comfiture. 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


57 


CHAPTER VII. 

At last the President was heard from, although the 
telegraph wires were still more or less interfered with, 
A Peruvian war ship happening to stop at San Francisco 
for coal, and the commander, being an American, and 
hearing the news from the Atlantic States, and grasping 
the embarrassing situation in which the Nation without 
a navy was placed, and knowing that a suitable vessel 
could not he hastily procured to notify the President of 
the troubles, and bring him speedily from Northern Ore- 
gon, gallantly volunteered to perform that service, and 
the President was soon within the Golden Gate. 

After digesting the terrible news, and fearing to tele- 
graph Eastward, lest his plans should be revealed to the 
conspirators, his messages were sent via China, India and 
Europe, and reached Washington after making the cir- 
cuit of the Globe. He called Congress together in Special 
Session, and made requisition upon the Governors of the 
various States and Territories to furnish and equip and 
arm 250,000 volunteers, for twelve months ; to drill them 
for service, and hold them in reserve, until the enemy’s 


58 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


plans developed. He moreover sent messages of good 
cheer to the people, and assured them that if he received 
the support he had reason to expect from the native and 
adopted citizens of the country, the invaders would soon 
be dispersed, business re-established and restored to its 
former prosperity, the National honor vindicated, and 
laws passed to prevent a recurrence of the trouble ; and 
he would bear his full share of the burden. Being a 
man of great executive ability, and indomitable courage, 
from the North, the effect of these brave words was elec- 
trical, and the people retired that night, for the first time 
in a week, with a feeling of security and safety. 

It would melt any American heart into tenderness, 
and inspire increased affection for his beloved Country, 
the heritage of his fathers, to see the readiness to respond 
as shown in the answers to the call for troops, the num- 
bers offering far exceeding the original call. The first to 
reply was South Carolina, simultaneously with Massa-' 
chusetts. From the lumbermen of Maine, the miners of 
California, the fishermen of Washington Territory, the 
planters of Louisiana, the copper workers of Michigan, 
the herdsmen of Texas ; from the mechanics of the East 
and North, and the farmers of the South and West, one 
universal prayer went up : “ God save America.” The 
colleges poured out their students by thousands; the 
farmers left their wives and children to reap their har- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


59 


vests; the professional men tendered their services as 
surgeons, nurses and chaplains, and the working classes 
threw down their tools to become defenders of their 
homes, and upholders of their Country’s honor and glory. 

A few of these responses may not be uninteresting : — 

South Carolina replied : 

“The Palmetto State is ready. One regiment has gone forward; 
others will follow. The spirit of ’76 survives. 

“ W. Hampton Rodman, Governor 

From Massachusetts: 

“The Bay State has sent a regiment; will open recruiting offices for 
volunteers. God save the Country. 

“J. Andrew Snelling, Governor ." 

From Pennsylvania : 

“ The Keystone State is arming her sons. 4 She has coal enough to 
warm her friends, and iron enough to cool her enemies.’ 

“A. Curtin Wister, Governor .” 

From Wisconsin (in German) : 

“ The Governor is in Prussia. One regiment of German riflemen, 
fully equipped, has gone forward ; another, all Americans, awaits 
transportation. God save the American Fatherland. 

“Carl Schurz, Jr., Lieut. -Governor.'' 

From the Territory of Hibernia : 

“Don’t be blathering your secrets before everybody, as some spal- 
peen has tapped the ribbons. Adopt a cipher in telegraphing. Buy 
Russian war ships. My regiment of sharpshooters is ready. Give me 
a brigade of boys, and we will drive the black mailers into purgatory. 
Hurrah for Hibernia and the Union. 

“Robt. Emmett Shields, Aes't Secretary of State.'* 


60 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


This last dispatch was remarkable for its Irishisms, 
hut contained three important suggestions: adopt a 
cipher ; buy war ships from the only nation on earth 
likely to help us in our extremity; and the hint at black- 
mailing. Possibly the whole trouble was concocted by a 
hand of unprincipled conspirators, hacked by foreign 
gold, the design being to strike the United States in a 
weak place, when entirely off guard, under the pretense 
of war, and before formidable resistance could be offered, 
or aggressive measures inaugurated, spread terror over 
the country, capture and hold one or more important 
points, and extort a heavy sum as indemnity. There 
were not wanting men, money and materials sufficient 
to make the effort, but the crowning realization of the 
expedition was the doubtful part of the programme, as 
the first gun fired at Pensacola had united the whole 
American brotherhood. 

We have stated that 5 on the 22d day of August, when 
the first response came from the President, the people 
breathed freer, and were inspired with courage and hope, 
and retired with a measure of calmness, compared with 
the turmoil of the past fortnight. But it must not be 
supposed that the excitement had subsided, nor the re- 
sentment of the people been modified. In all the large 
cities recruiting stations were opened the same night, 
for enlisting volunteers under the President’s call, in ad- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


61 


dition to the State militiamen, who had already gone 
South; and men were responding with an enthusiasm 
and unselfishness unheard of in the annals of history. 
Wonderful as was this mighty uprising of the people for 
the protection of their Government, more surprising still 
was the facility with which private citizens of all ages, 
and from all stations of life, were transformed into sol- 
diers, enduring privation and hardness, as if inured from 
childhood to the barracks and camp. 

During the night of August 22d a heavy fog hung 
over New York and environs, and the coolness, following 
a rainstorm, had driven the people into their houses, 
many of whom had almost lived in the streets pending 
the excitement. Thousands also had come to the city 
from the interior, to be enrolled in the army, and had 
gone into camp in Central Park. 

Comparatively few people, except those engaged at the 
newspaper and telegraph offices, knew that magnetic 
communication had been difficult to maintain during 
most of the evening, that the American cable to Europe 
had ceased to work at sunset, and even the local wires 
in New York and Brooklyn responded indifferently; and 
to the latter city, as evening advanced, stopped entirely. 
In the absence of any known cause, the operatives were 
sorely puzzled and had their suspicion aroused that 
something extraordinary was about to occur. 


62 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


It was past midnight when several violent explosions 
occurred in rapid succession, which aroused the country 
around, throwing to the ground those who were standing, 
and with such power as to shake New York and vicinity 
to the centre, as if an earthquake had rocked the mighty 
cities to and fro before engulfing them in destruction. 
People sprang from their beds, and ran into the streets, 
fearing that the houses would fall upon them, so terrible 
had been the vibrations. The explosions had put out 
many electric lamps, which added greatly to the confu- 
sion; but on Broadway, the lights were burning and 
they gave a ghastly hue to the troubled faces of the gath- 
ering multitude. Men with hurried steps, and women 
and children in tears, crowded towards the central points 
to hear what had occurred; and half an hour of sus- 
pense and agony passed, when the news came to the 
City Hall, where the Mayor and leading citizens had 
hastily assembled, that the Brooklyn tower of the bridge 
spanning the East Biver had been blown to atoms, and 
the cables and fragments had fallen into the river, ob^ 
structing its navigation. The loss of life was not serious 
owing to the hour, but great injury had been done to 
surrounding property. 

While the wisdom assembled within the City Hall was 
endeavoring to fathom the mystery of this outburst, it 
was supplemented by the appalling intelligence, brought 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


63 


from Brooklyn, that the Yucatanites had effected a land- 
ing at ten o’clock on Coney Island. The fleet consisted 
of steel and iron clad war ships and gunboats, and armed 
transports, and although the night was dark, the sea was 
comparatively calm, and if the magnificent ocean piers 
had not offered every needed facility for landing the 
artillery and mortar batteries, there would have been no 
special difficulty at other points, nor danger from the 
forts in the Harrows. As to the number of vessels, or* 
strength of the military force, all were in ignorance. 

The fog was intense, and the enemy approached so 
stealthily, guided by home traitors and pilots, that the 
hotel proprietors and citizens knew nothing of the mat- 
ter until they were startled by hordes of rough Belgian 
troops, who drove them from shelter, and when resist- 
ance was offered, the house whence it emanated was 
burnt. The terrified inhabitants fled towards Brooklyn 
before the advancing vandals, who, tearing up railroads, 
destroying all bridges and telegraphs and other property, 
marched over splendid roads Horth-eastwardly towards 
the East River, striking for a point near Long Island 
City. At same time the fleet moved to a point off Rocka- 
way Beach, so as not to be exposed to a long range shot 
from Fort Hamilton at sunrise. 


64 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The Brooklyn Bridge had not been destroyed by the 
Yucatan Army, but by engineers involved in the conspi- 
racy, who bad been plotting this and other diabolical acts 
for weeks previously, and who bad assisted in the land- 
ing of the troops. 

Never before bad the streets of New York and Brook- 
lyn witnessed the scenes of that morning. Long before 
daybreak, the avenues adjacent to the New York City 
Halls were filled with a mass of excited humanity, half 
frantic about the future movements ofi the enemy, and 
as the morning papers were distributed, telling the story 
of the invasion with its horrors and atrocities, not only 
was the indignation of the people boundless, but fear 
and panic were added to their tortures. 

As daylight approached, and the wagons, stages and 
horse cars began to move about, the multitude increased, 
especially of women and children, and nothing on wheels 
could be moved on Broadway and the other principal 
streets, without difficulty. Heavy express wagons, and 
others improvised for the occasion, guarded by armed 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


65 


men, finally forced their way to the United States Trea- 
sury and Custom House, and to the Banking and similar 
Financial Institutions, where trusted officers took from 
the vaults, hundreds of millions of dollars, in money or 
valuables, to be carried to the interior for safety ; and so 
great was the necessity for haste, that in some instances 
gold and silver and hank notes were packed in old bar- 
rels and boxes for transport. The railroad and insurance 
companies, and other public and private corporations and 
firms, wanted to remove their records and effects, and 
some people their furniture, but the morning was fully 
occupied with removing the treasures. The large jewel- 
ry establishments packed up and forwarded their valua- 
bles ; truckmen realizing as much as $100 an hour. 

Martial law was proclaimed and the Mayors of Brook- 
lyn and Hew York called upon the General Government 
to repel the invaders, who practically held the key to 
both cities. All the available State Militia had unfor- 
tunately gone South, where the attack was expected, and 
the volunteers enlisted were raw recruits, many of them 
unused to handling firearms. The National Government 
was adverse to any forward movement on Long Island 
at present, and was without a ship or a regiment to dis- 
patch to the relief of the threatened cities, and could only 
send some West Point cadets, who would drill the re- 
cruits, until the Regulars and State Militia could return 


66 (Battle of Coney Island ; 

from the South, if their services were not there in 
demand. 

The Mayors and State authorities would not listen to 
a delay, and believed that a sufficient force could be en- 
rolled and properly officered, to drive the invaders to 
their ships, and compel a retreat. The Americans saw 
that a few hours’ march would put the enemy within 
shelling distance of both cities, so they hastily organized 
regiments and appointed Colonels ; placing the new army 
under the command of General W. Scott Rotch, a gal- 
lant young officer, who had distinguished himself in the 
Mormon war, and in the whiskey rebellion, but who ac- 
cepted the position with some hesitancy, especially as 
the General Government advised against aggressive mea- 
sures. The necessity was great, however, and he was 
urged by considerations of patriotism to lead these men 
forward, and save thereby the two cities from pillage, 
and the Nation from further humiliation. 

War for conquest, from motives of envy or jealousy, 
or to gratify pride and ambition, how dreadful it is, and 
how contrary to the spirit of Christianity, and how it 
delays the happy, glorious time when the principles pro- 
claimed by the Prince of Peace will have universal sway ; 
but a voluntary uprising of citizens to defend their fire- 
sides, and protect their country from invasion, seems to 
have the sanction of religion ; hence, when the Ameri- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 67 

can tocsin sounded, the churches added their influence 
to the movement, and asked upon it God’s benediction. 

The volunteers were drilled in Central Park, and 
armed with the best rifles New York City could furnish. 
Militia men came in from other parts of the State ; be- 
sides, a company from Pennsylvania with the Keystone 
Battery of artillery, joined the army, and by the evening 
of the 26th, some 8,000 men were mustered into the 
service, and it was proposed to cross the East River in 
ferry-boats, march toward the entrenchments, and attack 
the enemy at daylight the next morning. 

The hastily improvised army was encouraged in every 
way. The citizens vied with each other in their atten- 
tions, and for one day, at least, the defenders of our 
liberties wanted nothing. Even ladies, whose fair hands 
had never touched the hands of stevedores, drove to the 
camp and encouraged the men to be brave and resolute ; 
promising to care for their families during their absence, 
and to provide for their maintenance, should they never 
return. Relief committees were appointed, and began 
their beneficent work the same evening. 

So different was this band of volunteers from the 
armies of Europe, where the Potentates enforced military 
service from their subjects; while here in Republican 
America, in this uprising was seen the embryo of a great 
National army. All branches of industry and conditions 


68 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


of life seemed to be represented ; the mechanics from the 
suburbs, the laborers from the tenement houses, the stu- 
dents from the colleges, the clerks and hands from the 
stores, offices and workshops, standing side by side with 
the sons of the merchants and bankers. 

At four o’clock on the morning of the 24th, the fog 
having cleared, the citizen soldiers left the upper piers 
of New York, amidst the huzzas of thousands of men, 
and the prayers and tears of many more women and 
children. But plainly visible were seen from different 
points of New’ York and Brooklyn colored rockets, 
showing that conspirators in our midst were informing 
the enemy of our movements by signals. Upon their 
arrival bn the Brooklyn side of the river, our men were 
formed in marching line, and moved towards the sea. A 
noticeable feature of the march was that the inhabitants 
had nearly all deserted their houses ; many mansions had 
been robbed, and others both robbed and burnt by the 
invaders. 

Within five miles, the pickets of the Yucatanites were 
met and driven in, and as our forces approached the 
hills, the bayonets and sabres of the manceuvering enemy 
flashed in the light of the rising sun. 

Veterans and regular soldiers are not often anxious to 
engage in mortal combat, or enter a battle, the assertions 
of romance and poetry to the contrary notwithstanding; 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


69 


but these impetuous recruits, full of enthusiasm and love 
of country, upon first getting sight of the foe, gave a 
loud shout, and prepared for the conflict. The General 
in command seemed ubiquitous, so many were the de- 
mands upon him, and so extended his duties, but he was 
equal to the position, and, encouraging his followers in 
every way, told them not to fire till directed, as success 
depended upon patient endurance, and when ordered to 
to fire, to keep a constant stream of bullets pouring into 
the ranks of the enemy. 

On our right was the Pennsylvania Battery, which 
opened fire, as we were not within rifle range, and this 
vigorous cannonade seemed both to surprise and annoy 
the enemy, who ordered his two companies of cavalry to 
charge and silence the battery; but after a score of 
troopers had been unhorsed, they were recalled. 

The enemy occupied the top and sides of the hill, 
facing us, while we were in the valley, and his object was 
to force our infantry to attack him in that position, with 
entrenchments for his riflemen, and with several masked 
batteries of cannon and mortars ; but our commander 
declined. The Pennsylvania Battery, however, kept 
pouring grape and canister into his ranks, and with 
telling effect, when suddenly, with colors flaunting 
amidst the smoke, the whole line moved forward, and 
our men waited with painful anxiety the order to shoot. 


70 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


The enemy’s troops came swooping down the hillside in 
battle array, and in good order, as his evolutions were 
perfect. We were appalled at their numbers, spreading 
as they did over a large extent of territory upon rising 
from their entrenchments. The sudden cloud of smoke 
showed that they were firing, although we had previously 
been made aware of that, by the bullets, which whistled 
over our heads. Nearer they came, and their shots began 
to take effect, when our centre was directed to open fire. 

The Keystone Battery had lost several men, the enemy’s 
immediate object being to silence that, and Gere’s com- 
pany from Syracuse went to its support. Soon our ranks 
began to show the effects of the enemy’s rifles, as here 
and there a poor fellow fell, and was carried to the rear. 
Our left soon began with sharp shooters and Minnie 
rifles, to pick off the officers of the enemy, when dis- 
tinguishable, and at last the order came to our right 
wing to fire, as the enemy was well advanced, and the 
battle soon became general, and nothing could be heard 
but an incessant rattle of musketry, save the groans of 
the wounded and dying. The Americans stood up like 
stone walls, pouring shot after shot into the ranks of the 
invaders, and while our columns were thinning by the 
slaughter around us, we could see that our opponents 
were also suffering terribly, when they suddenly called a 
retreat, upon being unexpectedly attacked on their ex- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


71 


treme left by a force of disciplined soldiers. The Ameri- 
cans pursued, contesting every foot of ground, being full 
of the enthusiasm incident to a first campaign, but not 
understanding whence came the unexpected assistance on 
their right, although greatly benefited thereby. 

One of the prisoners who fell into our hands, badly 
wounded, was an intelligent Frenchman, who stated that 
the plans of the Yucatanites were interrupted by the 
drunkenness of the officers and troops, the previous 
night, after they had landed. Their intentions were to 
march at once to the East River, near Long Island City, 
and being in range of both Yew York and Brooklyn, 
and out of range of the forts in the harbor, they could, 
with their mortars, shell both cities, if they refused to 
pay a heavy ransom; that being the main object of the 
expedition. 

He and all the soldiers had been promised a large 
sum as their share of the booty, for a ninety days’ cam- 
paign, which was to be conducted with great energy, 
even ferocity, disregarding the laws of war or of nations, 
so as to inspire terror, and insure success before the 
Americans could be aroused. The darkness and fog de- 
layed their landing some two hours, and when safely on 
shore, they found the hotels on Coney Island (which 
had been abandoned by the guests), well supplied with 
wines and liquors, and the invaders forgot their errand 


72 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


of conquest, as they gratified their thirst for drink. As 
the delay in waiting until next morning for their forward 
movement is unaccountable from a military standpoint, 
the reason given by the prisoner may have been the 
truth, and subsequent developments confirmed his asser- 
tion as to the ultimate object of the invasion. 

This prisoner, who proved to he a topographical engi- 
neer, died the same evening, and among his effects were 
found lithographed sketches of New York and Brook- 
lyn, and their forts and defences; including also the 
exact location of all the important public and private 
buildings, banks, &c., and numbered from one to four 
thousand. There was also a key to these charts, giving 
the name and supposed capital of the bank or office in- 
dicated, including the residences and names of over two 
thousand wealthy citizens — all which were probably in- 
tended to facilitate plunder when they got possession of 
the cities. 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


73 


CHAPTER IX. 

We have seen that the Americans were surprised, but 
greatly helped by unexpected reinforcements on their 
extreme right, and our duty remains to inform the 
reader whence they came and who they were. 

For more than a decade previously to this invasion, the 
citizens of the United States had gradually abandoned 
the barbarous methods of celebrating the anniversary of 
American Independence, which had prevailed for years, 
and which generally, on each return of the Fourth of 
July, left several hundred young Americans either in the 
undertakers’ care, or maimed for life. Instead of using 
firearms and dangerous explosives as formerly, the people 
went upon picnics and excursions into the country or 
parks adjacent to the larger cities. Excursions were 
very popular throughout the country. Some of them 
extended over days, weeks and months, so great was the 
prosperity of the country under the liberal wages and 
profits arising from a Protective tariff. Some parties 
went to the Pacific coast, or to Europe, and a few select 
coteries steamed around the globe. 


74 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 

A military association was traveling through the 
Northern States on an extended tour, when Pensacola 
was destroyed. It was a party of young men, delegated 
by various military organizations from different sections 
of the Union. The idea was conceived by a patriotic 
heart, but tinctured with a romantic fancy, to gather 
together into one band, lineal descendants of the partici- 
pants in each of the wars which the United States had 
been engaged in, since the separation from the Mother 
Country. They were to be uniformed and armed and 
equipped in the style of the age in which their ancestors 
had fought in the National army or navy. This brought 
together a large body of young citizen soldiers from 
various States, and of the highest social position. 

In July they reached the city of Philadelphia, en 
route to Niagara Falls, and the scene, as they marched 
through Independence Hall, with uncovered heads, 
was deeply impressive. There were seen the ancient 
Continental of the Revolution, with his cocked hat and 
breeches, the Commodore and privateer of 1812, the 
trooper of the Mexican campaign, the boys in blue and 
boys in gray of the 1861 Rebellion, and the scouts and 
regulars of the Indian, Mormon and other wars. This 
party, numbering about 1000 men, with a special train 
of hotel cars, arrived at Niagara Falls the same day the 
Yucatanites landed on Long Island. The party then ex- 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 


75 


pected to proceed to Newport, where a grand National 
military review and fdte were to end the excursion, after 
which they intended to break ranks and return to their 
homes. 

It was part of the programme that their escort should 
consist of a company of the New York Seventh Regiment, 
and a company of the Boston Ancient Artillery, who met 
the party at Niagara; and the escort was increased at 
Newport by the addition of one company of the Philadel- 
phia City Troop — three bands of honorable and brave 
men, of unsullied military reputation. Upon arriving at 
Newport, and learning the critical state of affairs at New 
York, they abandoned the arena of pleasure for the real- 
ities of war, and at once chartered a large steamer, came 
to New York by the Sound, and offered their services to 
the Governor. They landed near Harlem, a few hours 
after the rear guard of the citizen soldiers had crossed the 
East River, and the booming of cannon was within hear- 
ing distance, announcing, in unmistakable language, an 
impending conflict which would decide the fate of the 
great American Metropolis. 

The young soldiers of the excursion and their escorts, 
at once resolved to go to the front, to help repel the in- 
vaders, and thus, on the field of battle, prove their claim 
to be worthy sons of the sires of the Republic. As they 
marched down Broadway to their transports, the peo- 


76 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


pie came by thousands to cheer and encourage them ; 
ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and maidens offered 
them flowers. In this band was represented the future 
honor and glory of America, the flower of the land : the 
chivalry of the South, the brains of New England, the 
millionaires of New York, the stalwarts of Pennsylvania, 
and the backbone of the country — the great W est. Their 
excursion, which had begun with unmarred pleasure, 
was about to end with an act of heroism which will ever 
cause their memories to be cherished by a grateful people. 

Upon deciding to take part in the contest, the General 
in command telegraphed them to take steamers to Bay 
Bidge, and attack the invaders on their left, upon a given 
signal. It was this vigorous assault which temporarily 
paralyzed the enemy, and forced him to retreat. 

The sight of soldiers on drill in the armory, on street 
parades, at prize shootings, or at tournaments or fdtes, in 
sham battles or at ball room receptions ; the reveille on 
gala days, or the bugle call at the holiday encampment, 
when the National standard floats placidly over the sum- 
mer tent ; the pomp and pageantry, the halo and glit- 
ter, the romance and poetry and glory of the martial life 
— all these may be fascinating to the youthful mind ; a 
radiance attaches to military fame; a sublimity, even 
majesty, is connected with success. Ovation, the laurel 
wreath, the triumphant arch await the conqueror. Not 


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77 


only does the hero warrior receive the applause of the 
people, his career beaming with immortal lustre, but Na- 
tions honor and exalt him to a Crown, or to the highest 
positions of dignity. 

But war in reality — facing a whirlwind of bullets, re- 
sisting the sabre stroke or bayonet thrust, the dash and 
din and heat and smoke and fire and blood and clash 
and shock — the rolling drum and rattling musketry and 
dying groan and roaring cannon and shrieking shell; 
tell of war in earnest. The young and inexperienced 
soldier, the pride of father and idol of mother and pet of 
sisters, perhaps the light and joy of home, enters the 
contest full of life and hope. He is thinking of the 
noble and heroic deeds of his forefathers, and desires to 
follow them in the pathway to fame and glory. On his 
breast still droops the nosegay, pinned there by fair 
hands but a few hours previously, and the thought was 
charming, as he contemplated his return with the victo- 
rious conquerors, amidst the shouts of the multitude and 
the admiring smiles of his lady friends. How t soon tfie 
bright visions of fancy fade away, as he, pierced through 
the body by a Mexican lancer, sinks to the earth, to be 
crushed beneath the steel-clad hoofs of the enemy’s gal- 
loping steeds, to lie amidst dead and dying men and 
horses ; bleeding, suffering, groaning, thirsting, fainting, 
dying. 


78 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


Our forces pursued the enemy about five miles, and 
were approaching the sea, when suddenly, a roaring 
sound overhead informed us that shells were being 
thrown, and as the smoke lifted, we saw that the heaviest 
shells came from the war ships, some two miles distant. 
About the same time their infantry sounded a halt in 
their retreat ; but they refused our request for a three 
hours’ armistice to bury the dead. 

Resisting stubbornly our continued but slow advance, 
the enemy finally resumed the offensive, and poured can- 
ister and grape into our ranks, additional to their rifle 
shot; while enormous shells went humming over our 
heads. Soon the aim of their gunners was more accu- 
rate, and 300-pound bombs crashed among us, and espe- 
cially into the reinforcement of excursionists on our 
right, spreading death around. This, added to the 
frightful loss on our front, the death of our chief, General 
Rotch, and the capture of our artillery, threw our forces 
into confusion. To stand longer under such a fire was 
certain death, as we were outnumbered four to one, and 
the enemy’s cavalry were manoeuvering a flank move- 
ment on our left. The Battle of Long Island was lost, 
and there being no officer left to order a retreat, the re- 
mains of our scattered forces started on a confused flight 
towards Brooklyn, throwing their arms away, to hasten 
their escape to a point beyond reach of the shells. Nobly 


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79 


and bravely bad they fought, against fearful odds, and 
their stampede was but the result of superior numbers 
and position and discipline. The excursionists, or the 
remnant of that body of braves who had gone so unex- 
pectedly to the help of the country, declined several de- 
mands to surrender, and retreated in fighting order to 
the shelter of the guns of Fort Hamilton, after losing in 
killed and wounded, 950 men, out of 1250. 

Some of the volunteers gave out in their flight, and 
were taken prisoners, and eventually paroled. Of the 
8000 men who left Hew York the previous evening, not 
over 5000 escaped death, wounding or capture, and those 
who finally reached Brooklyn were exhausted and de- 
spairing. The most intelligent of them reported the 
enemy to be about 25,000 strong; a majority of these 
were Belgians, with a few Mexicans. The steel-clad war 
ships were commanded by English and French officers^ 
with guns and mortars of the heaviest calibre used in 
naval warfare. 

The effect of this defeat upon the people of Hew York 
and vicinity was crushing, but it aroused to white heat 
the indignation of the entire country, and stimulated the 
Government to increased activity. There was lamenta- 
tion throughout the land on that day, not only around 
the Metropolis, but in every State of the Union which 
had a representative in the excursion party. These noble- 


80 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


men had fought bravely, and maintained the prowess of 
their ancestors unsullied ; but alas ! on that night the full 
moon shone upon their upturned faces, whitened with 
the finger of death, as they lay upon the battle field ; and 
there was mourning for them in a thousand households, 
and sorrow in many more. 

A stampede from Brooklyn and New York began 
immediately into New Jersey and the interior of New 
York State. The railroads and steamboats were crowded, 
and thousands who were appalled by the overwhelming 
character of the disaster, deserted their homes and stores, 
and fied in terror on foot, many being women and chil- 
dren, and some of them widows and orphans from the 
result of that day’s battle. 


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81 


CHAPTER X . 

The Governors from, the neighboring States were in 
consultation with the Majors of New York and Brook- 
lyn; at Yonkers, and telegraphed to Washington the 
news of the defeat. They were displeased with the 
reply: that the United States Government were doing 
all in their power to defend the Country, but they had 
not favored ^the advance into Long Island by the New 
York Militia, and were not responsible for it, nor sur- 
prised at the disastrous results. 

The enemy was not idle, however ; but, with an atro- 
cious disregard of all humane feelings in neglecting to 
bury his dead or ours, he resumed his march towards the 
East River, keeping communication open with the fleet. 
His losses during the day had been over 1000, and this 
fact enraged the troops to fury, who, in their march, 
ruthlessly destroyed much valuable property and many 
private houses. Arriving at his destination at sundown, 
his heavy mortars were placed in position, and other 
arrangements made for an attack on both cities at long 
range, also for a defence, in case they were attacked. 


82 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


At seven o’clock a boat crossed the East River, flying 
a flag of truce and bearing a demand to surrender both 
cities, with their forts, garrisons, and all persons under 
arms, immediately to the forces of Yucatan, or submit to 
a bombardment; not knowing, or pretending not to 
know, the utterly defenceless condition of the cities. 

The demand, instead of being addressed to the Gov- 
ernment of the United States, was upon the Mayors of 
New York and Brooklyn, and was couched in imperious, 
insulting language, perhaps not unnatural to a conquer- 
ing leader, flushed with recent victory. The tenor of the 
proposition and demand was wired to the President, now 
on his Eastward journey, and the reply was : “ Let them 
do their worst, but never surrender.” The Secretary of 
War telegraphed that the Cabinet could not divulge 
secrets, but were doing all that was possible, and in time 
it would be made manifest. 

Without waiting for an official reply to their first de- 
mand, the enemy, at early dawn the next morning, sent 
another truce boat across the river, which carried notice 
that at noon on that day , unless their present demands were 
complied with , they would shell both cities , of which due 
notice was given to non-belligerents to leave them . 

The general Government was still ignored in this com- 
munication, and the demand was in less offensive lan- 
guage, but it was addressed to the Mayors and people of 


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83 


the two cities. It stated that the Government of Yuca- 
tan held a large, unsatisfied claim against the United 
States, payment of which had been refused by Congress, 
and they would now proceed to collect that claim, with 
interest, and all the expenses of this righteous and neces- 
sary war. The present demand was upon Yew York 
and Brooklyn, now at the mercy of the Yucatan forces, 
and they would carry out their threats, and the two cities 
would meet the fate of Pensacola, unless the Mayors and 
•leading citizens bound themselves to pay the sum of five 
hundred millions of dollars ! Upon receiving this in 
cash or its equivalent, they would evacuate their present 
position, and leave Yew York and Brooklyn without 
further injury. The alternative would be a bombardment. 

This last outrageous demand clearly showed the de- 
signs of the invaders. It looked like a blackmailing 
scheme of the grandest proportions, under pretense of an 
unsatisfied claim made by an insignificant Mexican State 
against the United States. As other nations recognized 
and practiced that process for collecting debts, real or 
imaginary, there was nothing inconsistent in their pro- 
ceedings, but it seemed to be a war of the weak against 
the strong ; and yet, in this instance, the mighty giant 
lay prostrate and bleeding, like Sampson shorn of his 
locks. 

If the two cities yielded (and the enemy evidently 


84 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


expected resistance of some sort), no doubt the marauders 
would proceed elsewhere, to some unfortunate city, and 
extort money in a similar manner; because until the 
Government could improvise an army and navy, the 
Yucatanites could, with their present force, do as they 
pleased along our defenceless Atlantic coast. 

Several of the leading citizens owned each a hundred 
millions of real estate and personal property in New 
York and Brooklyn, and many individuals were each 
worth a million dollars or more, and now they were ex- ■ 
posed to heavy losses; as insurance upon property is 
void in fires happening by invasion. These men came 
forward and agreed to pay the sum demanded, and save 
the two cities, provided Congress would engage to reim- 
burse them from the National Treasury within ten years. 
The Mayors and Governor added their influence in their 
despatch to Washington, and urged the immediate ac- 
ceptance of the terms ; but the reply was : “ Pay nothing ; 
gain all the time possible.” 

An impression prevailed in certain quarters that the 
cities would not be shelled, there being no necessity for 
it, as the enemy had nothing to do but to march forward 
and occupy them without resistance, or, if he preferred a 
demonstration by his war ships, there was an easy task 
before him. They could steam up New York Bay and 
land at the piers ! The pseudo forts, upon which two 


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85 


great cities (one of them being the commercial and 
financial metropolis of the Nation) depended for protec- 
tion, being totally inadequate to make any impression 
upon so formidable an armament; hence they were 
almost worthless in modern naval warfare. The guns of 
the forts had been known to burst while firing a salute ! 

The enemy’s design, however, being booty, rather than 
conquest, he fortified a position whence he could threaten 
both cities, and he may have been ignorant of their de- 
fenceless condition. His hopes of success in the financial 
part of his plan lay in quick, sharp, decisive action ; 
sparing nobody and nothing. Delay meant failure. 

When the news was circulated that the cities would be 
attacked at noon, many distressing, even terrible scenes 
were witnessed. Brooklyn was surrounded by water on 
all sides not controlled by the enemy, and the people, in 
their flight, had to cross the rivers in order to get away 
from the doomed city. Everything in shape of steamers, 
boats of any size, or even rafts, were utilized to carry the 
panic stricken people into New Jersey. 

In New York City still greater excitement prevailed 
during the morning ; but an hour before noon some of 
the streets were bare of people, the stores, banks, news- 
paper and other offices were closed, and many of the 
dwellings deserted. Most of the foreign ships and 
steamers, with their national colors flying, had taken 


86 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


refuge from the effects of the expected bombardment, by 
going up the Hudson River ; the East River being im- 
passable. The coasting steamers and other vessels, some 
of them sailing under the American flag, also went up 
the Hudson, except a score or more of iron coasters, 
which ran the blockade with trifling injury, and went to 
sea, sailing southward. After their departure the Amer- 
ican flag was scarcely visible in the great, loyal city of 
Hew York, except on the Government buildings and on 
the forts in the harbor. Many people were afraid to dis- 
play their flags lest they should be targets for the 
enemy’s cannonade, or other demonstrations. 

Several conspirators were caught sending up signal 
balloons and rockets, no doubt as a guide to the gunners, 
and others were taken while placing dynamite under the 
Custom House ; and these men were killed by the infu- 
riated mob. 

Two Yucatan steamers were blockading the lower 
bay, beyond the reach of the forts. They allowed no 
vessel to enter the port, much to the consternation, incon- 
venience and loss of the masters of arriving ships, as 
some of them were laden with immigrants, destined for 
the West. The blockaders, however, were fully occupied 
in trying to make it effective. In several cases steamers 
passed in and others out, at night, without damage. 

As twelve o’clock approached, the anxiety of the people 


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87 


who remained in the cities became intense, as the sick 
and dying in families, hospitals and asylums, as well as 
the wounded in the battle of the previous day, could not 
be removed. Men with field glasses were seen on several 
prominent buildings in the upper part of New York, 
prepared to watch and report the effect of the cannonade, 
should shells be thrown. 

At twelve o’clock precisely, instead of the usual ring- 
ing of bells and blowing of steam whistles, to mark the 
hour of rest and luncheon for the weary toilers in the 
innumerable workshops of the two cities; all these were 
painfully silent, but in the stillness a fearful explosion 
was heard, showing that the enemy had opened fire. 
The shells were of the largest calibre, and the first one 
was evidently thrown to gauge the distances. The en- 
gineers of the assailants, with glasses and instruments, 
were elevated on platforms, and guided the gunners in 
taking aim, although but few shells were thrown. 

The first shell exploded within the space occupied by 
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and not striking any building, 
merely ploughed a fearful chasm in the earth. The next 
was evidently aimed at the New York Post Office; — but 
why detail the horrors of those two hours? Let us 
rather drop the curtain over the awful scene, and record 
that, either by shells thrown by the enemy, but chiefly 
by dynamite placed within the buildings by the enemy. 


88 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


whose sappers and miners were secretly at woik at various 
points of the city, the Post Office, City Halls^Custcm 
House, Sub-Treasury, and many other prominent, public 
and private insurance and financial buildings, both in 
New York and Brooklyn, were reduced to wrecks, and 
considerable destruction of surrounding property and loss 
of life attended the explosions. 

One heavy shot seemed to have been aimed at Trin- 
ity Church, but passing over, crashed into a block of 
stores in the neighborhood, enveloping them in flames. 
Finally, old Trinity was struck, as if by a thunder- 
bolt or earthquake, and the tower knocked into the ad- 
joining grave yard. The beautiful structure, for so many 
years the admiration of all beholders, took fire, and with 
the adjoining buildings were soon a mass of blackened 
ruins. 


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8 9 


CHAPTER XI. 

Two hours of warfare upon two cities with over two 
millions of people ! Who can estimate the loss of life, the 
damage to property, and the anguish and suffering of 
those who were forced to remain within their portals ? 
But in two hours the destruction ceased. A small 
boat had started from the foot of 32d Street, flying the 
English, French, German and Spanish flags, and at about 
the same time the English and French war ships in port 
steamed down the bay with colors flying, saluting the 
forts in the harbor in passing, as if nothing unusual 
was transpiring. 

What w r as the object of these visits to the invaders? 
Had the happy time arrived, predicted by a former 
President, TJ. S. Grant, that when Britain and America 
united hands, and worked together harmoniously in the 
interests of peace, they could prevent w T ar throughout 
the world, and, by their very strength and power, compel 
the Nations of earth to settle their disputes without 
recourse to arms? But this could never be until Great 
Britain became a sister Republic — not by dynamite o F 


90 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


poniard, but by the education and elevation of the 
working people to the American standard. Democratic 
America cannot sympathize with Aristocratic Britain, 
There is a natural class antipathy. 

The Nobleman who, in 1861, in the House of Lords, 
sneeringly referred to this Country as the “ Disunited 
States,” or that other British Nobleman, who, after in- 
diting a most insulting demand upon the United States 
(which demand was afterwards softened by the noblest of 
Sovereigns) for the surrender of Mason and Slidell, said : 
u The time has come at last to be revenged on the Yan- 
kees,” sounded the key-note of that irreconcilable an- 
tagonism. 

We can affiliate with the British people, but not with 
their political institutions and class distinctions. A 
policy which would force a husband to enter his mother- 
in-law’s palace by the back door, while his wife enters by 
the front with those of higher blood ; or a principle which 
would withhold praise, honor or even mention of the 
name of a soldier who had saved the British army, simply 
Because he was a private, can never find followers in 
America. We believe and practice the language of the 
immortal Declaration of Independence : “ That all men 
nre created equal,” and when Britain and America both 
Believe and practice that, the Anglo-American race will 
rule the world. Until then neither will rule it. 


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91 


Society, as organized in 18 — , seemed unprepared for 
the abolition of war, and after exhausting arguments 
against it, the conviction remained that war is best, avert- 
ed by a preparation for it, that it will cease when the 
heaviest armaments, the largest guns, the swiftest steam- 
ers, the most improved appliances, the most ingenious 
machinery, the costliest outfit, the best disciplined army 
and navy render it too costly and too destructive to 
practice. All these could only come from intelligence 
and science, and when in the hands of a superior military 
and naval Power, would always be a potent argument for 
peace, and against war and insurrection. 

Wickedness and war seem companions, just as right- 
eousness and peace will he in the future. Unfortunately, 
the United States, at this particular time, was not in a 
condition to unite with Britain in suppressing war among 
others, inasmuch as the Government, in plain violation of 
the Constitution, had neither an army nor navy to protect 
their own people from an invasion by an armed band of 
freebooters and marauders. 

In Hew York and Brooklyn there are blocks of stores 
and dwellings owned entirely by foreign capitalists, some 
of them by the crowned heads and titled families of Eu- 
rope, as safe and profitable investments, and some of 
these were being destroyed by the explosions, the fire 
insurance being null under such circumstances. The 


92 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


Consuls of the Powers named, ever on the^alert to pro- 
tect the lives and property of the subjects they repre- 
sented, went with a flag of truce to the invading army 
and supplemented their demand with their war ships off 
Pockaway, and informed them that their shells and ex- 
plosions were endangering and destroying neutral prop- 
erty, and must cease at once, or they would take summary 
measures to enforce a cessation of hostilities, and their 
demand was complied with immediately. 

Possibly the hostile forces, encountering no resistance, 
had concluded that if two hours of actual warfare, with 
its frightful destruction and loss of life had not brought 
the obstinate cities to terms, there was little use in fur- 
ther wasting ammunition. At any rate the firing and 
explosions ceased, and the future plans of the invaders 
were somewhat demoralized thereby, as every hour’s 
delay lessened their chances of success in their chief 
object; and strengthened the American position. 

The colors of the other nations were put upon thou- 
sands of buildings, as a protection ; and for the second 
time in the history of these two American cities, the life 
and property of a foreigner were held sacred, while 
Americans were subject to insult, injury and death, and 
their property to destruction. Alas for poor, defence- 
less, misguided America, who had been brought to this 
humiliating position by ignorant legislation ; but thank 
God, Liberty survived ! 


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On August 26th, 18 — , the forces of Yucatan occupied 
Brooklyn and New York. It was the anniversary of 
their capture by the British, more than a century before. 
The entrance into Brooklyn was not attended with un- 
usual demonstrations, except that when the troops passed 
an American flag, which we are proud to say was not 
an unfrequent occurrence, they amused themselves by 
shooting it from its statf; and so the glorious Stars and 
Stripes were dragged in the mud and tramped beneath 
the feet of a repulsive, foreign soldiery. The horses of 
the officers and troopers were stabled in Plymouth and 
other large churches. 

The army of occupation entered New York via Black- 
well’s Island, having made a bridge of fishing boats and 
other small craft taken from the East River, and floored 
with timber from the neighboring lumber yards. They 
encamped in Central Park, although that exposed them 
to a fire from Hoboken Heights. They numbered some 
fifteen thousand troops, many of them Belgians, with 
some Mexicans. The officers were English, French, and 
renegade Americans. They left their heavy ordnance 
on the Brooklyn side, and maintained communication 
with their fleet. 

A short address was issued, saying that they had come 
to obtain redress from the National Government, which 
had been refused, and they would retire when their 


94 


(Battle of Coney Island; 


claims for ransom were paid; meanwhile they demand- 
ed supplies and shelter for their army and navy. They 
had not been backward, however, about seizing and ap- 
propriating everything they needed, and many things 
which they did not need. The handsomest churches in 
the upper portion of the city were used as stables for 
their teems, and the Catholic Cathedral on Fifth Avenue 
as a club house for drinking, smoking and gambling. 

The leading citizens were afraid to return to the city, 
because, being men of wealth and position, demands 
could easily be made upon them, which, were they to 
refuse, might endanger their property and jeopardize 
their lives. 

Sad it was to an American to see the houses of Fifth 
Avenue and similar streets, abandoned by their occu- 
pants, and filled with drunken soldiers, who not only 
helped themselves to anything they took a liking to, but in 
their quarrels they would often destroy paintings, statuary 
and other works of art in these palatial American homes. 
Safes were forced open and silver plate, jewels and other 
things were carried off, to the extent of millions of dol- 
lars. Stores and warehouses were broken into and 
robbed, and even inhabited dwellings were entered, the 
inmates insulted and sometimes assaulted by the brutal 
soldiers. Bank and safe deposit vaults were blown open, 
and valuables taken therefrom. In some cases where re- 


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95 


sistance was made, there was loss of life on both sides*, 
and this was invariably followed by the prompt destruc- 
tion, by dynamite, of the building whence the resistance 
proceeded. One young man, wounded in a similar affray, 
stated to the Americans who carried him to a hospital, 
that the leaders of the expedition were fearful that it 
would end in failure to secure the ransom ; and pillage 
was resorted to, in order to refund them the cost of the 
expedition, as many of the ships were only chartered. 
He professed to have seen heavy wagons filled with silver 
and valuables, en route to the fleet for safety, and that 
this was the cause of hourly trouble in the camp, as the 
officers and leaders claimed all the booty, while the men 
demanded a share, and concealed diamonds and other 
stolen articles. 

Sadder still to see women of refinement and virtue 
openly insulted by the barbarians, and sometimes crim- 
inally assaulted ; while vice and immorality ran riot in 
the two cities. But saddest of all to every patriot heart 
was it to reflect that the Metropolis of America was in* 
possession of and at the mercy of an invading army, 
whose flag flaunted over the city, while the dear old ven- 
erated standard of the Fathers was insulted and pro- 
scribed; and all this humiliation and suflering because 
Congress after Congress had been placed in power, not 
because of the fitness of the members for so high and 


96 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


honorable a position, but because some of them could, 
through the machinery of local politics, secure the 
nomination by improper means, and so being ignorant 
of political economy and of true legislation, and 
reckless as to the needs of their constituents, and 
forgetful of the Constitution which they had sworn to 
maintain, they had failed to grasp the condition of the 
Country — had permitted it to drift to its present help- 
lessness, and so allowed this fearful loss to come upon the 
people, and this deep disgrace upon the Nation. 


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97 


CHAPTER XII. 

Because two of the largest cities in the Union were 
groaning under the iron heel of the invader, it must not 
be supposed that the American Nation was conquered. 
The people did not impeach Congress, nor did Congress 
embarrass the Administration, nor did party criticise 
party, but all worked together harmoniously toward one 
end : the release of the enthralled cities, and the capture 
of the invaders. 

The uprising of the citizens was one of the grandest 
sights ever witnessed, nor could any other nation in the 
world, on so short a notice, have 300,000 volunteers in 
camp, armed, equipped and drilling for the conflict. 
Two former Presidents — General Grant and Abraham 
Lincoln — had said, while addressing fragments of a for- 
mer volunteer army, that there were men in their ranks 
capable of filling any position in the land , civil or military ; 
hence this vast army of volunteers soon was commanded 
by efficient officers ; as were the marines and sailors in 
the navy. Their chief motive was love of country, but 
they had enlisted to fight, not only for their firesides, but 


98 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


also for the great doctrine of self-government, which 
they had received from their fathers, and desired the 
inheritance to descend spotless to their children. An 
army composed of such material and with such princi- 
ples will prove invincible in actual conflict. 

The presence of the President at the Capital was a 
tower of strength to the Nation at this juncture, as 
he was a great organizer. He threw an energy and 
enthusiasm into the work, peculiar to the American 
character, but surprising even in its results to himself. 
Under the Constitution, he was Commander-in-chief of 
the army and navy, and upon assuming control, he 
was embarrassed and chagrined to realize that he had 
neither army nor navy to command ! 

His first acts were to reinforce the garrisons at the forts 
of the seaboard, and to re-open telegraphic communica- 
tion with all parts of the country. He moreover ordered 
immense tanks, made of heavy sheets of steel, which 
were to be floated to the water approaches to different 
cities, and then filled with stones, and sunk, leaving but 
a narrow space for the passage of ships ; which channel 
would be filled with torpedoes and similar destructives. 

Several men were arrested while tampering with the 
telegraph wires, or throwing up signal balloons, and 
when found to be American citizens, were subsequently 
tried by court martial and executed. 


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99 


The President also placed strong guards on all the 
railroads and other roads and rivers leading from Few 
York and Brooklyn, and had secret agents in both cities, 
who reported hourly to headquarters every movement of 
the enemy. The pickets permitted no one to enter the 
cities, which cut off the invaders from information, and 
rendered their hold upon Long Island and Manhattan 
Island untenable ; and their leaders soon discovered the 
fact. 

Of the coasting steamers which ran the blockade, a 
score were being encased in steel armor plates. The 
cannon foundries, rifle works, iron and steel mills, dry 
docks and ship yards, were running perpetually with 
three sets of hands; while League Island Navy Yard in 
Philadelphia was re-opened, and became the rendezvous 
of the forming fleet, and with its electric lights for night 
work, presented a scene of intense activity, never before 
witnessed. 

The inventive genius of the people was also aroused. 
Infernal machines, torpedo-boats, “ sea eagles,” peculiar 
magnetic guns, electric shells, chemical fires, dynamite 
mines and instruments of destruction innumerable were 
offered to the Government, and promised the greatest 
effectiveness ; but all this became impotent when com- 
pared with the invincible courage and unconquerable 
spirit of the liberty loving people. 


100 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


Congress promptly passed an Act to relieve American 
ships and shipping of all taxes and burdens heretofore 
imposed, which were one cause of the decline of Amer- 
ican commerce, and indirectly of this invasion ; and it 
may not be irrelevant here to remark, that within two 
years from its passage, American cereals, cotton, oil and 
other products of our fields, factories and mines were 
carried to foreign countries, not in foreign bottoms, but 
chiefly in mail and passenger steamers and ships built 
and owned in the United States, and manned by Ameri- 
can officers and crews, and the profits and w T ages arising 
therefrom went into the coffers of our own people, while 
our National war ships followed our merchant marine to 
all parts of the world, and the inhabitants of other climes 
once again became familiar with the Stars and Stripes, 
and were reminded that the Republic of the West still 
existed. 

Also a General Act encouraging commerce, and offer- 
ing subsidies for carrying the mails in American ships to 
foreign countries, but reserving the right to buy or 
charter the subsidized steamers, in case of war. Also 
an Act abolishing the Free Ship Bill, and authorizing 
the purchase and equipment of fifty American iron 
steamers for the navy, and within a fortnight they were 
in the Delaware, receiving their armor plates. 

Another Act increased the tariff twenty per cent, on 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 


101 


luxuries, and ten per cent, on all manufactures for one 
year ; to augment the revenue, protect home industries, 
compensate the people for their losses by more active 
business and higher wages. If the people had to pay 
more, temporarily, for certain articles, they received pro- 
portionately more wages and profits ; a matter well un- 
derstood by all intelligent American workmen, especially 
when they voted upon National questions. For once, 
Congress fell in line with the people, and the exploded 
doctrines of Free Trade and Free Ships were sunk so 
low as to be beyond hope of resurrection. 

The Army of the Pacific, some 20,000 men, were en- 
camped at Oakland, California, while three war-ships 
graced the harbor of San Francisco. The Southern 
Division of the army, some 30,000 strong, bivouaced 
near Mobile, with five armed steamers ; while the Army 
of the Hudson were in camps at West Point and at 
Harrisburg, numbering over 250,000 men. In an in- 
credibly short time these large bodies of men were 
armed, equipped and thoroughly drilled in all military 
tactics, and organized into regiments, brigades, and di- 
visions, and impatiently awaited marching orders. 

The navy also responded “yes,” to the inquiry from 
Washington whether they were ready to co-operate, and 
before our forests had dropped their autumn dress of 
crimson and gold, the forward movement began; the 


102 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


fleet steaming down the Delaware, with forty magnifi- 
cent steel clad war steamers, accompanied by gunboats 
and transports. At the same time the railroads began 
moving the troops; the artillery and cavalry having 
started afoot two days previously. 

But we must leave army and navy and take another 
view of the invaders, who still held both cities, wherein 
were witnessed, daily, scenes of robbery, insult, murder ; 
everything which might be expected from a coarse, un- 
controllable soldiery, in a conquered territory. Officers 
and men continued to quarrel over the plunder, several 
shiploads of which had been forwarded to Nassau, in the 
British Bahamas. The officers did not inform the pri- 
vates that a retreat was inevitable before many days, and 
that the officers had already arranged to break faith with 
the soldiers, escape to sea, meet at Nassau, divide the 
stolen property, and after paying the expenses of the 
expedition, go to Europe with handsome fortunes. 

On the very day of the forward movement of our 
forces, the whole country was elated with the news which 
came from Charleston, that one, of a score of American 
Privateers already afloat, had captured a steam transport, 
with twenty officers from the Long Island invaders, and 
a cargo of India shawls, sealskin garments and expensive 
articles of attire, which had been taken from the deserted 
homes of Brooklyn. The steamer was hailing for Nas- 


Or y Free Trade Overthrown . 103 

sau, and was within twenty miles of port when captured. 
Two of the officers being American citizens, were im- 
prisoned, and eventually tried and executed for high 
treason. 

As all the invading forces, whose plans were devel- 
oped, were encamped in or near New York, the Army 
of the Hudson only moved forward, and as it started, a 
Proclamation was issued by the President, and made 
known to the enemy, inviting all privates in their ranks 
who were American citizens by birth or adoption, to 
come into our lines immediately, but threatening the 
officers with a trial for high treason, if captured in armed 
resistance to the Federal Union. This brought a score 
of privates only, and it was then evident that the rene- 
gade Americans engaged in th’13 nefarious enterprise 
were but few in number, and that nearly all of them 
were officers or engineers ; who at once plotted for an 
escape. 

The same day three of the Yucatan fleet, laden with 
booty, and containing a number of army and navy offi- 
cers, steamed Southward ; and were subsequently cap- 
tured by our privateers. 

A storm off* the New Jersey coast scattered our fleet 
somewhat, after passing the Capes of the Delaware, and 
as the vanguard, consisting of the New York, Alabama, 
New Hampshire and California rounded Sandy Hook, 


104 


( 'Battle of Coney Island; 


they sighted hut seven of the enemy’s fleet, all that re- 
mained. These immediately maneuvered for action, 
which challenge the American Commodore, Swank, ac- 
cepted. Both fleets opened with solid shot, doing some 
damage to each other’s armor plating. 

The enemy shifted position, and opened a steady fire 
of heavy shells, concentrating the attack upon the New 
York, which was the Flag ship of Commodore Swank. 
She had suffered severely from solid shot, and subse- 
quently from the shells, but when a 300 pound shell 
exploded at the base of her turret, it dismounted her 
heaviest gun, and killed or wounded a dozen gunners. 
A second shell of similar size shivered to atoms the plat- 
form upon which Commodore Swank stood, while direct- 
ing the movements of the fleet. He fell to the deck, 
and while apparently not wounded, was so stunned as to 
lie unconscious for half an hour. 

The firing was continued on both sides, with more or 
less damage, when a solid conical steel shot penetrated 
the side of the New York, and severed a steam pipe, 
which rendered her proper management difficult, if not 
impossible. The officer in command directed a signal 
of distress to be made to the other ships of the fleet, but 
before the flag was unfurled, Commodore Swank revived, 
and in an instant comprehended the situation. Being 
unable to maroeuver his ship from deficiency of steam, 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 105 

lie ordered two American inventions to be used. The 
first, which had never been tried in warfare, was a fan- 
shaped instrument mounted on a raft, which was launched 
and fired, and immediately, for five hundred feet around 
the flag ship, between her and the enemy, an impenetra- 
ble volume of chemical smoke arose from the decompo- 
sing sea water, towards the clouds, screening from view 
the flag ship, and rendering the enemy’s aim uncertain^ 
and his fire futile. 

Interim, the Hew York was shifted about, and the 
inventors were summoned to test the practical workings 
of another new instrument of destruction. Most accu- 
rately were the measurements and bearings taken by 
scientific experts, and as the smoke of the former experi- 
ment vanished, a peculiarly shaped boat or float was 
prepared for service. It was made of cork and rubber, 
and was air-tight, so as to prevent it from sinking, yet by 
its fin-like arms under water, it could not rise above the 
surface. Upon this was mounted an immense steel pro- 
jectile technically called a “ sea eagle,” wflth a sharp 
conical head. Upon a signal from the inventor, General 
Houston, the fuse was lighted, and with a loud shriek, it 
flew over the surface of the sea with the rapidity of 
lightning, and penetrating the side of the “ Rule Brit, 
tannia,” at the water’s edge, exploded with such force as 
to fire her powder magazines. So violent was the ex- 


106 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


plosion that several of the officers and crew were blown 
into the sea ; while the ship, with her cabins filled with 
valuable plunder, went to the bottom. 

The contest was now between six and four, with the 
New York disabled and practically out of the conflict. 
Terrible, even sublime was it to see these steel clad 
monsters firing at each other, and with no uncertain aim. 
The Americans proved to be the better sailors, handling 
their ships with greater facility, while their gunners fired 
with greater rapidity, and concentrating their fire upon 
one ship at a time. 

With glass in hand, Commodore Swank was watch- 
ing and hoping for the remainder of his scattered fleet, 
but none were in sight, except a large Fall River Steam- 
er, carrying the torpedo boats and other scientific engines 
of destruction, to which he immediately signalled, and 
received a response. The enemy shifting to the East, 
the American fleet formed a crescent, the Alabama being 
within a mile of Rockaway shoal, while the California 
was off* the west point of Coney Island. This drove the 
enemy into closer quarters, and limited his range, and 
enabled the American fleet to rake his ironclads right 
and left, with shot and shell, and with telling effect, 
which soon slackened the opposing fire; an evidence of 
exhaustion. 

Meanwhile, unnoticed by any one save by Commodore 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown . 


107 


Swank, who with his Flag ship had drifted southward, 
two small craft were launched from the Sound steamer, 
and immediately disappeared under the surface. One 
of these was a new American torpedo boat, scientifically 
constructed, and carefully timed, after accurate measure- 
ments by the inventors and engineers. In less than half 
an hour, the Yucatan Frigate, “ Maxamillian,” was a 
mass of ruins, with her hull stranded on West Bright- 
on Beach. 

The other boat was also the result of experiments, a 
magazine of chemicals worked by batteries connected 
by wires with the steamboat. The inventor, Captain 
Lovell, superintended its movements; and it literally set 
the sea ablaze, and about the same moment that the 
“ Maxamillian ” stranded, no vestige could be discovered 
of the ironclad “ Santa Anna ” but the blackened debris 
which floated above its watery grave off Manhattan Beach. 

After these disasters the remaining Yucatan ships fired 
but feebly, and soon struck their colors, just as several 
more of our fleet hailed in sight to witness the closing 
scenes in this drama of death; but envious and disap- 
pointed because they had not been participants in the 
“ Battle of Coney Island .” 

We pause just here to record the fact that within six 
months of his victory, Commodore Swank, a brave and 
good man, was bitterly attacked by wiseacres in Europe, 


108 


(Battle of Coney Island ; 


who denounced his mode of warfare as “ brutal, coward- 
ly, and contrary to all precedents/’ 

His answer was : “ Gentlemen, you want me to use 
etiquette in fighting, and do it according to your obso- 
lete rules, and with your antiquated machinery. ISTo 
sirs, every one of you would use these inventions against 
Uncle Sam, were you the possessors of them, and we 
the unhappy recipients of your favors, and in a year or 
two you will adopt these very instruments of destruction, 
just as you have previously done with other American 
inventions. 

“If war is right at all, sirs, if civilized and so-called 
Christian nations have not enough wisdom to settle all 
differences without recourse to the barbarities of warfare, 
with all its feints, shams, spies, masked batteries, false 
lights, ambushes, deceptions and lies generally, then don’t 
condemn me for introducing something new. If Nations 
must and will go to war, I say, do your worst, and don’t 
fight in kid gloves. Moreover, sirs, because Yankee 
genius is in advance of you in warlike inventions, don’t 
bring your hypocritical cry against me of ‘ cowardice 
and brutality,’ but stop your pride and wickedness, and 
war will cease altogether among civilized people.” 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


109 


CHAPTER XIII . 

When the army reached Hoboken Heights the inva- 
ders had evacuated Hew York and Brooklyn, and what 
remained of them were scattered over Long Island ; in 
fact, being abandoned by their officers, they had been 
deserting for several days. Some had changed their 
clothing in the cities, and amalgamated with the foreign 
element; others had wandered along the roads, East- 
ward, without aim or purpose, leaving their weapons 
behind, and upon seeing the fleet destroyed, they gave 
up in despair. 

When our cavalry reached Astoria, and dashed South- 
ward, they could find no enemy but some 5000 half 
drunken and demoralized Belgians, without officers, who 
made no resistance, and who were disarmed, and sent as 
prisoners into a temporary camp. The men were furious 
against their officers for deceiving them. They all had 
more or less valuable property about them — diamonds, 
watches, jewelry and cash — which they reluctantly hand- 
ed over to the Americans. 

Quartered in the magnificent hotels (which had escaped 


110 


Battle of Coney Island ; 

destruction) on the beaches of Rockaway and Coney 
Island, we must leave as splendid a body of patriots as 
ever the sun shone upon, enjoying the sea at the nation’s 
expense ; and gaily riding in the noble Bay of Yew York 
was seen the improvised American Yavy, not so formid- 
able as the armaments of Europe, and yet when com- 
manded by skillful officers, and manned by brave, deter- 
mined men, with secret and scientific appliances, becom- 
ing a foe not easy to be beaten, as the late enemy had so 
bitterly experienced. 

In a few days, bridges and railroads were rebuilt and 
restored, and the leading citizens returned to Yew York 
and Brooklyn, after an enforced exile. With usual 
American energy the sound of the hammer and trowel 
was immediately heard on every side, where the vandals 
had destroyed property. Business was also resumed. 
The banks, newspapers, stores, factories, courts, schools, 
and offices re-opened ; the ferry-boats, cars and stages 
were again seen, and part of the usual life and activity 
began to show itself on Broadway. 

But most refreshing was it to see the glorious Stars 
and Stripes, enshrined afresh in the hearts of the people, 
floating from mansion and cottage and shipping. The 
churches which were unharmed also re-opened, and 
anthems of praise and prayers of thanksgiving ascended 
to God from thousands of grateful hearts. 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 


Ill 


Disappointment at the ludicrous ending of the military 
programme was the ruling passion, and the army, envious 
at the navy’s success, also longed for opportunity to show 
its prowess. Congress advised, and the Administration 
consented to send a civil and military expedition to Yuca- 
tan, to demand satisfaction and indemnity for the invasion, 
and give guarantee for the future, three Civil Commis- 
sioners having control of the forces. 

A part of the army — some 20,000 men — embarked at 
New York in November, 18 — , and being reinforced by 
several regiments at Mobile, and accompanied by twenty 
armor plated and other steamers and transports, they 
safely landed at Sisal in December, and marched for 
Merida, the Capital. 

They found the people half famished; many of the 
men having been forced to go North with the invading 
army. Business was entirely prostrated. There was na 
sign of an army or navy, no National Treasury, and not 
much of a Government. The Frenchman, who had been 
elected President by the schemers before they left Yuca- 
tan to invade the United States, had recently, with pomp 
and ceremony, had himself crowned and proclaimed as i 
“Emperor of Yucatan,” and was surrounded with the 
tinsel and trappings of royalty. 

He was arbitrary, selfish and cruel, and when our 
forces landed, he assumed a regal dignity, and desired in 


112 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


courtly language, to conduct an extensive diplomatic 
correspondence. He was blufly advised by Chief Com- 
missioner Weeks to “ vacate” within 24 hours, and his 
Imperial Majesty did not wait for a second hint to retire 
with his court and crown to parts unknown. 

Most of the supplies forwarded by the Government to 
Yucatan for feeding and clothing our army and navy 
were gratuitously distributed among the suffering popu- 
lation, who hailed the Americans as friends and deliv- 
erers from the tyranny and oppression of the so-called 
Emperor. And while Congress was debating the ques- 
tion whether we should hold Yucatan as a conquered 
Territory, or re-annex it to Mexico, the Mother Country, 
the people of the unfortunate State implored our forces 
to protect them against the foreigners, who had seized 
their government, robbed their treasury, destroyed their 
business, and oppressed them for months. 

Then it was that Congress, encouraged by the united 
voice of the sovereign people, passed Acts which im- 
proved and substantially re- affirmed the Monroe doctrine, 
as construed by leading American Statesmen. 

1. That the American Continents are not henceforth to 
be considered as subjects for colonization by any Foreign 
Power. 

2. That the United States has neither the purpose nor 
desire to interfere with the internal affairs of any State or 


Or , Free Trade Overthrown. 113 

States in America , nor disturb them in the enjoyment of 
whatever form of government they might , in the exercise of 
an absolute f reedom, establish. 

3. That the United States , affirming precedents not to in * 
terfere with the political affairs of Foreign Nations, nor 
attempt to enforce Republican institutions upon them, will 
regard as dangerous to its peace and safety any attempt on 
their part to extend their systems of Government upon any 
State or States of North or South America, against the un- 
trammeled votes of a majority of the inhabitants thereof. • 
A Republican form of Government was guaranteed to 
Yucatan, and the State, by a vote of the citizens, was re- 
annexed to Mexico. The Mexican Government hypothe- 
cated the product of the mahogany forests, and mines of 
Yucatan to the United States, as indemnity for the 
damages done and expenses incurred by the invasion. 

Our forces then steamed homeward, leaving the Amer- 
ican Government to settle with Great Britain several 
grave questions of international law: it being proved 
that the enemy procured all their ships, cannon, arms, 
uniforms, ammunition, etc., in Britain, and further, that 
the millions of personal property stolen from New York 
and Brooklyn had been carried to a British port — Nassau. 

By an Act of Congress, the last week in March, 18 — , 
was set apart as a time of rejoicing over the proclamation 
of peace, and arrangements were completed for its civil 


114 


Battle of Coney Island ; 


and religious observance in all parts of the country. 
Trade generally was suspended, and a universal holiday 
was observed, and notwithstanding the severe losses 
incurred during the invasion, business was so prosperous 
under the stimulus of Protection to factory and ship, that 
the people, who were earning handsome profits and wages, 
could well afford to take time for this National festivity. 

Part of the programme was to be a review and parade 
in New York City. But there were illuminations and 
Rejoicings and patriotic reunions in every corner of the 
land. 

A/Ye need not detain our readers to attempt a descrip- 
tion of the grandest pageant of modern times^250,000 
infantry, 50,000 cavalry and artillerymen, 50,000 sailors , 
and marines, and 50 steel and iron clad war steamers, all 
armed and equipped for service. There were the stal- 
warts from Maine, the half-breeds from New Mexico, 
and men, white and colored, from every section of the 
Union ; and as delegates from each State and Territory 
marched down Broadway, the people were wild with 
enthusiasm, especially when the President appeared, 
who was mounted, and dressed in citizen’s attire. 

AYe must refer to several peculiar incidents of this dis- 
play. After the troops from various States had passed, 
there appeared a large number of open carriages, filled 
with wounded, and surrounded by armed soldiers of 


Or, Free Trade Overthrown. 115 

varied uniforms, and the cry arose : “Who are these?” 
The answer came in deafening huzzas for the survivors 
of that National military excursion party, and of the first 
army of volunteers who had fought and bled in trying 
to oppose the victorious march of the invaders in the pre- 
ceding August on Long Island. Their ancestors had 
been defeated in opposing the British on the same day of 
August, and at the same place, over one hundred years 
before ! 

Several carriages contained the families of the unfor- 
tunate men who had lost their lives in the two sunken 
war ships, at the beginning of the invasion; also the 
families of the sailors lost and wounded by the recent 
Battle of Coney Island, all of whom were now adopted 
as wards of the Nation. Finally, there was a printing 
press, worked by electricity, which scattered broadcast 
an address headed : “America,” portraying in eloquent 
language the glory of our country — the vastness of its 
domain, the richness of its resources, the sacredness of 
its Constitution, the breadth of its civil and religious 
liberty, the grandeur of its institutions, the hopes for its 
future, the stability of its Government while in the hands 
of those who were properly nominated and honestly 
elected. They were urged to remember that their heri- 
tage was a moral as well as a political trust ; and that 
great danger would attend any attempt to elevate fealty 


Battle of Coney Island . ' 




116 


to party above Christian principle in nominating or 
voting for candidates for office. 

It reminded them of the vital importance of maintain- 
ing the dignity of labor in liberal wages, by fostering and 
protecting its agriculture, manufactures and commerce, 
and thereby insuring National prosperity. It admon- 
ished them of the desirability of not permitting foreign 
nations to dictate a policy of trade to this Nation, nor to 
force their effete and decaying systems of Government 
upon any portions of the American Continent, quoting 
the immortal words of Washington : u Against the insid- 
ious wiles of foreign influence, the jealousy of a free 
people ought to be constantly awake.” It solemnly 
warned them, in Scripture language : that while sin is a 
reproach to any people, righteousness exalteth a nation. 

The address ended with the thanks of the President, 
and of Congress to the people for their patriotic response 
to the call for help, and with gratitude to Almighty God 
for enabling them to scatter a dark shadow from the land. 





















